1-Chloropropane

Chemical properties

1-Chloropropane is the simplest asymmetric chloropropane. Because of the presence of the heavy electronegative chlorine atom, 1-chloropropane has a higher melting point and boiling point than propane (BP 46.6 °C vs ?42 °C). It is highly flammable.

The Uses of 1-Chloropropane

1-Chloropropane is used in organic synthesis, pesticides, pharmaceutical intermediates.

Preparation

1-chloropropane is prepared by reacting n-propyl alcohol with phosphorus trichloride in the presence of a zinc chloride catalyst.

General Description

A clear colorless liquid. Boiling point 46.6°C. Flash point below 0°F. Less dense than water and slightly soluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Irritant and narcotic.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

1-Chloropropane presents a dangerous fire risk. May be incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.

Hazard

1-Chloropropane is highly flammable, dangerous fire risk, explosive limits in air 2.5–11%. Irritant and narcotic.

Health Hazard

Exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. May cause nausea, headache, and vomiting. High concentrations may have a narcotic effect.

Safety Profile

A moderately poisonous irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Narcotic in high concentrations. Flammable liquid and dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxiduers. Moderately explosive when exposed to flame. Keep away from heat and open flame; can react vigorously with oxilzing materials. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl-.

Purification Methods

Dry the chloride with MgSO4 and fractionally distil. It can be more extensively purified using extraction with H2SO4 as for n-propyl bromide. Alternatively, Chien and Willard [J Am Chem Soc 75 6160 1953] passed a stream of oxygen containing about 5% ozone through the n-propyl chloride for three times as long as was needed to cause the first coloration of starch iodide paper by the exit gas. After washing with aqueous NaHCO3 to hydrolyse ozonides and remove organic acids, the chloride was dried with MgSO4 and fractionally distilled. [Beilstein 1 IV 189.]