Chloroacetyl chloride

Chloroacetyl chloride (CAS 79-04-9), also known as CAC, is a highly reactive acylating agent used as a key building block in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients and agrochemical compounds. Its reactivity toward amines, alcohols, and other nucleophiles makes it a preferred reagent for introducing the chloroacetyl group in multi-step synthesis programs for various industrial applications.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, CAC is used to synthesize a range of APIs including local anesthetics, cardiovascular drugs, and CNS compounds where the chloroacetyl moiety is a critical structural feature. Agrochemical producers rely on it as an intermediate in the production of herbicides and fungicides, particularly chloroacetamide-class herbicides used in crop protection formulations for global agriculture.

In biotechnology and life sciences, it serves in the preparation of reactive intermediates and labeling reagents used in research-scale synthesis and specialized laboratory applications across the sector. Industrial chemical manufacturers also use CAC to produce thioethers and other specialty compounds through nucleophilic substitution reactions, ensuring high yields and consistent chemical performance.

Chloroacetyl chloride is supplied as a liquid, typically in drums or ISO containers suited to its corrosive and moisture-sensitive handling requirements for safe transport and storage. It is available in technical and synthesis-grade specifications, with purity levels commonly at 98% or higher for industrial and pharmaceutical intermediate use in high-demand manufacturing environments.