Chloromethyl methyl sulfide

Chloromethyl methyl sulfide is the organosulfur compound with the formula ClCH2SCH3. In terms of functional groups, it is a thioether and an alkyl chloride. The compound is structurally related to sulfur mustards, i.e., it is a potentially hazardous alkylating agent. The compound finds some use in organic chemistry as a protecting group. In the presence of base, it converts carboxylic acids (RCO2H) to esters RCO2CH2SCH3. The compound is prepared by treatment of dimethylsulfide with sulfuryl chloride.