April 28, 2024, 05:17:58 PM
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Topic: SOCl2 vs POCl3, when to use which reagent with alcohol (hydroxy groups)?  (Read 14337 times)

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Offline apansatan

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Hi

Both SOCl2 and POCl3 can chlorinate alcohols, but when is which reagent preferable? SOCl2 is used with primary and secondary alcohols I think. But when is POCl3 used?

SOCl2 + R-OH ---> R-Cl + SO2 + HCl

POCl3 + R-OH ---> R-Cl + PO2Cl2 + HCl ?

/Alex

Offline nextpauling

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I have only seen POCl3 used in the presence of pyridine to dehydrate alcohols.  i.e.  alcohol + POCl3 --> alkene.

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