The thermal decomposition of 2-chloroethanol

Abstract

2-Chloroethanol decomposes at 430-496º into acetaldehyde and hydrogen chloride with first-order rate given by: k₁ = 10^12.8±1 exp(-229700 ± 4000/8.314T) s^-l The rate is slightly less than that for ethyl chloride. That acetaldehyde is the product shows that a 1-2 shift of hydrogen has taken place and this is indicative of a polar transition state.The acetaldehyde subsequently decomposes to methane and this decomposition is catalysed by the hydrogen chloride produced.