Sulfuryl Chloride: A Versatile Alternative to Chlorine

Abstract

Sulfuryl chloride is a valuable alternative to chlorine gas in chlorination reactions;however, it is a neglected reagent in synthetic chemistry. Sulfuryl chloride is inexpensive(Aldrich, AUS$120/L) and easily handled in the laboratory.[1,2] Recently therehas been a growing popularity in its use as a chlorinating agent for the preparation ofpolymers,[3] pharmaceuticals,[4,5] and agrochemicals.[6] This article will concentrate onfree radical and ionic chlorinations using sulfuryl chloride.