CH₃CH₂OH + SOCl₂ | Ethanol and Thionyl chloride Reaction

Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) and Thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) reacts and gives Chloroethane (CH₃CH₂Cl) and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and Hydrogen chloride as products. Chloroethane (Ethyl chloride / CH₃CH₂Cl) is an alkyl halide compound.

Balanced equation of CH₃CH₂OH and SOCl₂ Reaction

Hydroxyl group of ethanol molecule is replaced by one of the chlorine atom of SOCl₂.

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Mechanism of CH₃CH₂OH and SOCl₂ Reaction

To describe the reaction mechanism, we can consider the reaction of ethanol and thionyl chloride.

• The oxygen atom of alcohol group has a higher electron density. Therefore, it can attack slightly positively polarized sulfur atom in SOCl₂as the first step of reaction. As an intermediate product, chlorosulphite is formed.
• Chlorosulphiye decomposed to ion species sequentially and final gives Chloroethane as the final product.

Safety during the reaction

Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of each reactants and products before, doing the reaction. It will be easy to identify what are the possible injuries can be happened due to relevant chemicals.

• Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) - A flammable liquid, can form a combustible vapor phase due to highly evaporative nature,
• Thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) - Harmful if swallowed, possibility of severe skin burns and eye damages, skin corrosion and irritation, Harmful if inhaled
• Chlorethane (CH₃CH₂Cl) - Extremely flammable gas, suspected as a Carcinogenic chemical, harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
• Sulfur dioxide: Toxic