Sulfuryl chloride is used as a chlorinating and sulfonating agent in organic synthesis. It also is used in military gas.
Sulfuryl chloride is prepared by reacting sulfur dioxide with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst, such as activated carbon or camphor. Both the gases should be in dry form and passed over the catalyst:
SO2 + Cl2 → SO2Cl2
Also, the compound can be obtained by heating chlorosulfonic acid in the presence of a catalyst:
2ClSO3H → SO2Cl2 + H2SO4
Sulfuryl chloride is highly corrosive to skin, eyes and mucous membranes.
Reactions with alkalies, lead dioxide, phosphorus and dimethyl sulfoxide can
be violent.
colourless or pale yellow liquid
A colorless to light yellow fuming liquid. Pungent acrid odor.
Colorless, mobile liquid; turns yellow on standing; very pungent odor; refractive index 1.4437 at 20°C; density 1.667 g/mL at 20°C; vapors heavier than air, vapor density 4.7 (air=1); melts at -51°C; boils at 69.4°C; sparingly soluble in water, decomposing slowly to sulfuric and hydrochloric acids; forms a hydrate SO2Cl215H2O with ice-cold water; miscible with benzene, toluene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and glacial acetic acid; decomposed by alkalies (violent reaction occurs).
Chlorinating and sulfonating or chlorosulfonating agent in organic syntheses, e.g., in the manufacture of chlorophenol and chlorothymol. Has been used in war gas formulations.
Sulfuryl Chloride is a reagent used in the synthesis of catecholic flavonoids as telomerase inhibitors. It is also used to prepare (pyrenebutanamido)thiourea derivs. for anion PET chemosensors.
ChEBI: Sulfuryl dichloride is a sulfuryl halide.
A colorless fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals and tissue.
Sulfuryl chloride reacts exothermically with water. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines. Reacts violently with bases. Attacks many metals. Can react explosively with lead dioxide [Mellor 10:676 1946-47]. 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].
Strong irritant to tissue.
Vapors cause severe irritation of eyes and respiratory system. Liquid burns eyes and skin. If ingested, can cause severe burns of mouth and stomach.
Behavior in Fire: Toxic and irritating gases are generated.
A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Can explode with Pb02. Will react with water or steam to produce heat and toxic and corrosive fumes. Incompatible with alkalies, diethyl ether, dimethyl sulfoxide,dinitrogen pentaoxide, lead dioxide, phosphorus. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Cland SOx. See also SULFURIC ACID and HYDROCHLORIC ACID, which are formed upon hydrolysis.
Sulfuryl chloride is used to make other chemicals, including chlorophenol and chlorothymol, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, phosphate insecticides, heterocyclic herbicides, fungicides, dyestuffs, and some plastics; as a solvent and catalyst; as a chlorosulfonating agent in organic synthesis. Also used as a dehydrating agent, as cathode material and in lithium batteries; as a wool treatment to prevent shrinkage.
UN1834 Sulfuryl chloride, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard; 8-Corrosive material; Inhalation Hazard Zone A. STN: 4930260; Sulfuryl chloride.
Water and air reactive. When spilled in water, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid are produced. Forms corrosive mixture with air (NFPA Fire Rating: 0). Reacts exothermically with moisture in air, water or steam, releasing heat and yielding sulfuric acid and HCl vapors. Reacts violently with bases, amines, amides, inorganic hydroxides; alkalis, alkali metals, dimethyl sulfoxide, dinitrogen pentoxide, lead dioxide (explosive reaction); N-methylformamide, red phosphorus. Reacts, possibly violently, with oxidizers, organic substances, strong acids, alcohols, amines, ethers e.g., diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, especially if trace amounts of metal salts are present); glycols, peroxides. Attacks metals in the presence of moisture, forming flammable hydrogen gas. Acid formed by reaction with water can be neutralized by limestone, lime, or soda ash.
Wear nitrile rubber gloves, laboratory coat, eye protection and, if necessary, a SCBA. Cover the spill with a 1:1:1 mixture by weight of sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate, clay cat litter (bentonite) and sand. When the sulfuryl chloride has been absorbed, scoop the mixture into a plastic pail of cold water. Allow to stand for 24 hours. Test the pH of the solution and neutralize if necessary with sodium carbonate. Decant the solution to the drain flushing with 50 times its volume of water. Treat the solid residue as normal refuse.
