I need to convert Sodium butyrate into an acid chloride for my work. I've perused the literature but have not found too much about the details of these types of reactions. I plan to use thionyl chloride but I am worried about the handling and production of HCl gas. Is there another reagent that I can use that will halogenate the OH of the carboxylic acid that is more safe? Yield isnt necessarily a limiting factor in this case.
Hi Michael, as Ahmad mentioned I think oxalyl chloride could be a good choice for your reaction, though it's worth noting that this, too, will produce HCl. The point to make here is that, if you have access to a properly functioning fume hood, follow standard laboratory protocols for the handling of hazardous chemicals, wear appropriate PPE etc., then either oxalyl chloride or thionyl chloride could be good choices for this reaction. A few questions for you so that I can advise you a bit better - what scale are you working on? Is the acid chloride being used in a subsequent reaction step?
To turn a carboxylic acid into an acid chloride needs exhaust as HCl gas fumes are evolved in the reaction.You can scrub them in aque. HCl .Excess of thionyl chloride can be removed by distillation under reduced pressure.
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