Acyl Halides, Sulfonyl Halides, and Chloroformates

These materials are flammable and pose a vapor cloud explosion threat. Vapors may flashback to source and cause a violent rupture of a closed container. Combustion of acid chlorides produces hydrochloric acid and phosgene; toxic and irritating gases are also generated from the combustion of acid bromides and iodides.

Materials in this group are water reactive; some are violently reactive, and rapidly produce corrosive hydrogen halide gases. They are incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, and strong bases.

Extremely corrosive and irritating to mucous membranes, eyes, and the respiratory tract. Upon direct contact with skin, they will cause severe burns. Fumes are a serious inhalation hazard.

Compounds in this group have a halogen atom (chlorine, bromine, or iodine) attached to a carbonyl (C=O), sulfone (>SO2), or chloroformate (ClO-C=OR) group that is also attached to an organic group. The group also includes halides of sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, and chloroformates. These compounds are used in industrial synthesis of organic compounds, especially acetyl compounds, and to eliminate all traces of water from organic liquids.

Acetyl bromide, acetyl chloride, acetyl iodide, benzenesulfonyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, fumaryl chloride, isobutyryl chloride, methacryloyl chloride, n-butyl chloroformate, sulfuryl chloride.