[lukas.stib]

Hello chemists,

I want to make chloropropane from table salt, sulfuric acid and propanol, but I'm not sure whether to use water to dissolve the salt or not or how much water per 70 g of NaCl? According to the stoichiometry, I should use 59 g of H2SO4 and 72 g of propanol. My principle is that I let it reflux for about 2 hours, and then distill off chloropropane maybe with water. I use anhydrous ZnCl2 about 20 g as a catalyst?

Thank you.

[rolnor]

Is this a published method?

[lukas.stib]

In theory it is one of the methods of making chloroalkanes.

[AWK]

If it is a proven published procedure, follow it. The boiling point of propyl chloride is so low that it will volatilize during synthesis. It has to be condensed in a trap placed in an ice bath with NaCl.
In my opinion, the synthesis method using concentrated HCl and zinc chloride is much better.

[lukas.stib]

I think so too, but I'm interested in this procedure, so I'll try it.

[AWK]

As before, you want to learn from your mistakes.

[rolnor]

I think you need a procedure.

[kriggy]

I dont think your procedure is going to work (work well at least). Primary alcohols are not exactly reactive towards HCl as is the point of Lucas test. You are going to need a different chlorination agent.
ALso, I might be wrong, but Im assuming you are performing home chemistry and for that, generating HCl from NaCl and sulfuric acid is not exactly safe either