Chloroacetic Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

In 1843, Felix LeBlanc became the first scientist to prepare Chloroacetic acid in impure form.  Felix LeBlanc has prepared the same by chlorinating acetic acid with the help of sunlight. Reinhold Hoffmann, a German chemist, produced it using (Pure form) a refluxing acetic acid with sunlight and chlorine. During the same period of 1857, a French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz invented a new process and was reacting chloroacetyl chloride with water. 

Chloroacetic acid is an organochlorine compound, having the chemical name of Chloroacetic acid. Chloroacetic acid is a chloro carboxylic acid that is an acetic acid that carries a 2-chloro substituent. It works as a herbicide and an alkylating agent. 

There are two commercially available methods for the preparation of monochloroacetic acid. The central process is the chlorination of acetic acid with a catalyst such as acetic anhydride.

• CH₃CO₂H + Cl₂ ⟶ClCH₂CO₂H + HCl

The second process involves the hydrolysis of trichloroethylene with catalysts such as sulfuric acid.

• CCl₂=CHCl + 2H₂O ⟶ ClCH₂CO₂H + 2HCl

1. Chloroacetic acid is colourless and light brown crystalline solid. 
2. Chloroacetic acid dissolves and sinks in water.
3. Chloroacetic acid causes thermal burns when transported in its molten liquid form. 
4. Chloroacetic acid is toxic when inhaled or absorbed through the skin. 
5. Chloroacetic acid is combustible and corrosive.

You can obtain carboxymethyl cellulose  (CMC) from chloroacetic acid. Carboxymethyl cellulose  (CMC) is a defoaming chemical. Chloroacetic acid is required for manufacturing chloro phenoxy herbicides by etherification with chlorophenol.

This material is very toxic. The fatal dose is 50–500 mg/kg body weight. When 2-Chloroacetic acid comes in contact with the skin or eyes, it causes irritation and a burning sensation. The issues related to health include CNS depression and respiratory system depression.

This chapter is for 10th class, under Acids, Bases, and Salts category.  This chapter highlights the nature and behaviour of Acids, bases and salts, and having weightage 3% in the board exam. 

1. What is the Chemical formula of Chloroacetic acid?

Answer: C2H3CLO2

2. Why is Chloroacetic acid potent?

Answer: Chloroacetic acid is more potent than acetic acid due to the electron-removing impact of chlorine.

3. Which  acid present in the following,

(i) Tomato (ii) Vinegar (iii) Tamarind

Answer: (i) Oxalic acid (ii) Acetic acid (iii) Tartaric acid

Q: Which of the most harmful acids is hydrofluoric acid or chloroacetic acid?

Q: Why are all chemists treating fluoro acetic acid as more potent than chloroacetic acid?

Q: Why is chloroacetic acid more acidic?

Q: Which acid is the most harmful?

Q: Is it dangerous to have acetic acid?