Butyryl chloride

Butyryl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2CH2C(O)Cl. It is a colorless liquid with a unpleasant odor. Butyryl chloride is soluble in organic solvents, but it reacts readily with water and alcohols. It is usually produced by chlorination of butyric acid.

Reactions
Like related acyl chlorides, butyryl chloride hydrolyzes readily:
 * CH3CH2CH2C(O)Cl +  H2O  →  CH3CH2CH2CO2H  +  HCl

Alcohols react to give esters:
 * CH3CH2CH2C(O)Cl +  ROH  →  CH3CH2CH2CO2R  +  HCl

Amines react to give amides:
 * CH3CH2CH2C(O)Cl +  R2NH  →  CH3CH2CH2C(O)NR2  +  HCl

Derivatives of butyryl chloride are used in manufacturing pesticides, pharmaceuticals, perfume fixative, polymerization catalyst, and dyestuffs. Butyryl chloride is also commonly used as an intermediate for organic synthesis for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, esters, and peroxide compounds.

Safety
Butyryl chloride is flammable and fumes in air, releasing hydrogen chloride.