2-Chloroethyl Chloroformate is a reactant used in the preparation of artemisinin-derived dimer carbonates and thiocarbonates with antimalarial activity.
Decomposed slowly by water forming ethanol, HCl, and CO2; on contact with moist air, 2-Chloroethyl chloroformate gives off HCl fumes; attacks many metals especially in humid atmosphere. REF [Handling Chemicals Safely, 1980. p. 476].
2-Chloroethyl chloroformate is an acid halide. Acid halides are water reactive; some are violently reactive. They are incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, alkali. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
(Non-Specific -- Ethyl Chloroformate) Poisonous; may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
Poison by inhalation.
May also cause fatahties by ingestion or skin
contact. May cause burns to the eyes and
skin. When heated to decomposition it emits
toxic fumes of Cl-
Purify it by fractional distillation, preferably in a vacuum and store it in a dry atmosphere. [Jones J Chem Soc 2735 1957, Beilstein 3 IV 24.]
