The use of chloroacetic acid

Chloroacetic acid has various uses, some of which are as follows:

Many reactions utilize the high reactivity of the C-Cl bond in chloroacetic acid.

It is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of ethyl chloroacetate, glycine, synthetic caffeine, Sarcosine, Thioglycolic acid and EDTA.

Chloroacetic acid is widely used to prepare Carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl starch as thickeners.

It can be used as an alkylating agent, herbicide, antibacterial agent, and also as a preservative.

It is also used to prepare metal derivatives and to manufacture various dyes and drugs.

Chloroacetic acid is used to manufacture phenoxyherbicides through etherification reaction with chlorophenol.

The harm of chloroacetic acid to health

Chloroacetic acid is a hazardous chemical that needs to be treated. Some of its harmful effects on health are as follows:

Chloroacetic acid is highly toxic and a dangerous alkylating agent. Short term inhalation of chloroacetic acid may cause serious damage to the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, etc.

When it comes into contact with the skin, it can cause serious burns.

Acute ingestion of chloroacetic acid can cause burns in the mouth and stomach, perforation and Peritonitis.

Exposure to chloroacetic acid may also lead to central nervous system inhibition and respiratory system inhibition.

Frequently asked questions about chloroacetic acid

Question 1: What is chloroacetic acid?

Answer:
Chloroacetic acid is a Organochlorine chemistry extracted from acetic acid. This is a chlorocarboxylic acid, called Chloroacetic acid formula, chloronenenebb glycolic acid, or 2-chloroacetic acid. It is a Mineral acid with chemical formula of C2H3ClO2.

Question 2: How is chloroacetic acid prepared?

Answer:
Chloroacetic acid is a type of chlorocarboxylic acid, which is an acetic acid with 2-chloro substituents. There are two methods available for industrial preparation. The most common method is to chlorinate acetic acid in the presence of Acetic anhydride, which is a catalyst. The second method is to use sulfuric acid as a catalyst to hydrolyze Trichloroethylene.

Question 3: What is the use of chloroacetic acid?

Answer:

Chloroacetic acid is a Organochlorine chemistry, which is just the conjugated acid of chloroacetic acid. It is used as a chemical intermediate, herbicide, antibacterial agent, and also as a preservative. It is also used to prepare metal derivatives and to manufacture various dyes and drugs.

Question 4: Please talk about some properties of chloroacetic acid.
Answer:
Chloroacetic acid is a colorless solution of a white crystalline solid, with the chemical formula C2H3ClO2. It has a pungent odor, like strong vinegar, soluble in water. It is also soluble in ethanol, ether, benzene, and chloroform, and slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The boiling point of chloroacetic acid is 189.3 ℃ and the melting point is 63.0 ℃.

Question 5: Discuss some of the hazards of chloroacetic acid.
Answer:
Chloroacetic acid is highly toxic. When heated and decomposed, it releases highly toxic phosgene and chloride smoke. Short term inhalation of chloroacetic acid may cause serious damage to the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, etc. Acute ingestion of chloroacetic acid can cause oral and gastric burns.

Question 6: What happens when chloroacetic acid reacts with Sodium thiosulfate?
Answer:
Thioglycolic acid (C2H4O2S) was prepared by the reaction of chloroacetic acid and Sodium thiosulfate, and sulfides were used to replace chlorides. Thioglycolic acid is a stabilizer of polyvinyl chloride and a component of some cosmetics.

ClCH2CO2H+Na2S2O3 → Na [O3S2CH2CO2H]+NaCl
Na [O3S2CH2CO2H]+H2O → HSCH2CO2H+NaHSO4