Pivaloyl chloride
Pivaloyl chloride, also known as trimethylacetyl chloride, is an organochlorine compound with the chemical formula (CH₃)₃CC(O)Cl and a molecular weight of 120.58 g/mol.[1] It appears as a colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a pungent odor and is highly reactive due to its acyl chloride functional group.[2] Pivaloyl chloride has key physical properties including a melting point of -56 °C, a boiling point of 105–106 °C at standard pressure, a density of 0.980 g/mL at 20 °C, and a flash point of 8 °C, making it flammable and volatile.[1] It reacts vigorously with water to form pivalic acid and hydrochloric acid, and it is soluble in organic solvents but decomposes in aqueous environments.[1] Safety-wise, it is highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption, causing severe burns, respiratory irritation, and potential systemic effects; it is classified as corrosive to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed, and fatal if inhaled.[2] In organic synthesis, pivaloyl chloride serves primarily as an acylating agent for preparing amides, esters, and other derivatives, particularly in pharmaceutical production such as synthetic acid amides and phenol ester medicaments.[1] It is utilized in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients including penicillins like ampicillin, cephalosporins such as cephalexin and cefazolin, and other drugs like dipivefrin, as well as in agrochemicals for herbicides and antiviral or anti-inflammatory agents.[3] Commercially, it is synthesized by reacting pivalic acid with thionyl chloride or phosgene, often under controlled conditions to manage the exothermic reaction and byproducts.[4]Nomenclature and structure
Names and identifiers
Pivaloyl chloride is the acid chloride derivative of pivalic acid.[2] Its systematic IUPAC name is 2,2-dimethylpropanoyl chloride.[2] Common names include pivaloyl chloride and trimethylacetyl chloride.[2] The molecular formula is C₅H₉ClO.[2] The CAS Registry Number is 3282-30-2.[2] Other identifiers include the SMILES notation CC(C)(C)C(=O)Cl and the InChI InChI=1S/C5H9ClO/c1-5(2,3)4(6)7/h1-3H3.[2]Molecular geometry
Pivaloyl chloride features a central carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a chloride atom, forming the characteristic acid chloride functional group, with a tert-butyl group ((CH₃)₃C–) attached to the carbonyl carbon. This arrangement results in the structural formula (CH₃)₃CCOCl, where the planar acid chloride moiety is influenced by resonance between the carbonyl oxygen and the chlorine, shortening the C=O bond length to approximately 1.20 Å.[5] The bond angle at the carbonyl carbon, specifically the C–C(=O)–Cl angle, is approximately 120°, consistent with the trigonal planar geometry around the carbonyl carbon in acid chlorides, as observed in related compounds like acetyl chloride (121.2°).[6] The bulky tert-butyl substituent introduces significant steric hindrance, shielding the electrophilic carbonyl carbon and restricting nucleophilic approach compared to less hindered acid chlorides such as acetyl chloride. This steric bulk alters the electron density distribution around the carbonyl, with the three methyl groups of the tert-butyl creating a congested environment that influences the molecule's reactivity in nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions.Physical and chemical properties
Physical characteristics
Pivaloyl chloride is a colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid at room temperature.[2][1] It exhibits a pungent, acrid odor attributable to its high volatility.[2] The compound has a melting point of -56 °C and a boiling point of 105–106 °C at 760 mmHg.[7][1] Its density is 0.979 g/cm³ at 20 °C, and the refractive index is approximately 1.412 (n20D).[8][1] Pivaloyl chloride is soluble in common organic solvents such as dichloromethane and diethyl ether but reacts vigorously with water.[9][1] The fuming behavior observed in air arises from its reactivity toward atmospheric moisture, consistent with its acyl chloride functionality.[2]| Property | Value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid | Room temperature |
| Odor | Pungent, acrid | - |
| Melting point | -56 °C | - |
| Boiling point | 105–106 °C | 760 mmHg |
| Density | 0.979 g/cm³ | 20 °C |
| Refractive index | 1.412 | 20 °C (n20D) |
| Solubility | Soluble in dichloromethane, diethyl ether; reacts with water | - |