NEETChemistryCarboxylic Acid Derivatives
Why is thionyl chloride (SOCl 2 ) preferred for converting carboxylic acids to acyl chlorides over PCl 5 and PCl 3 ?
Options
- AThionyl chloride is less expensive.
- BThionyl chloride produces fewer byproducts.
- CPCl 5 and PCl 3 are gaseous and escape the reaction mixture.
- DPCl 5 and PCl 3 are more reactive.
Correct answer
C. PCl 5 and PCl 3 are gaseous and escape the reaction mixture.
Step-by-step solution
Thionyl chloride (SOCl 2 ) is preferred because PCl 5 and PCl 3 , when used for the same reaction, produce gaseous byproducts that escape the reaction mixture, making it difficult to handle and purify the desired product.