Thermokinetic investigation of the alcoholysis of acyl chlorides

The alcoholysis of acetyl chloride, propionyl chloride and butyryl chloride with some alcohols in acetone and toluene has been investigated by means o f calorimetric measurements. Furthermore a comparison with benzoyl chloride has been made. In the case of i-propanol in acetone, a smaller rate consta nt has been found for the alcoholysis of propionyl chloride than for butyry l chloride. In contrast to this, almost equal rate constants have been determined for t he reactions of these acyl chlorides with n-propanol and ethanol. In toluene, the rate constants for the reaction of acetyl chloride with all considered alcohols has the highest values under similar conditions but th en decrease from acetyl chloride to butyryl chloride. The observed differen ces and the changes of rate constants are discussed and compared with liter ature data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.