1-Chlorododecane

Laboratory Preparation

500 ml round-bottomed flask fitted with a double surface condenser and charged with 109.5 ml (or 179 grams) of freshly distilled thionyl chloride, and 46.5 grams of n-dodecyl alcohol (lauryl alcohol) are slowly added during 2 hours. When all the n-dodecyl alcohol has been added, the reaction mixture is refluxed for 6 hours. The obtained reaction mixture is distilled and the excess of thionyl chloride passes over below 80° C, followed by a small fraction up to 120° C. Finally, the crude 1-chlorododecane distills at 252-257° C, mainly at 255-257° C. The purified 1-chlorododecane is washed with water, 10% sodium carbonate solution, twice with water and dried with anhydrous calcium chloride. 1-Chlorododecane is additionally purified by distillation through an efficient fractionating column. Pure n-hexyl chloride passes over at 116.5° C/5 mm. The yield is 35 grams

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthesis, p. 746, 1980 DOI: 10.1055/s-1980-29199

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

1-Chlorododecane may be incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. May be incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.

Fire Hazard

1-Chlorododecane is combustible.

General Description

Clear colorless oily liquid.