Thionyl chloride

<p>Thionyl chloride is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> SOCl2. It is a moderately <a href="/facts/Volatility_(chemistry)/90r3ep6w">volatile</a>, colourless liquid with an unpleasant acrid odour. Thionyl chloride is primarily used as a <a href="/facts/Halogenation/vYrGVWcJ">chlorinating</a> reagent, with approximately 45,000 tonnes (50,000 short tons) per year being produced during the early 1990s, but is occasionally also used as a solvent. It is toxic, reacts with water, and is also <a href="/facts/List_of_Schedule_3_substances_(CWC)/2HHMCPDJ">listed</a> under the <a href="/facts/Chemical_Weapons_Convention/eP3Vsv5o">Chemical Weapons Convention</a> as it may be used for the production of <a href="/facts/Chemical_weapons/AwXDDhAR">chemical weapons</a>.
</p><p>Thionyl chloride is sometimes confused with <a href="/facts/Sulfuryl_chloride/UtEHXDb8">sulfuryl chloride</a>, SO2Cl2, but the properties of these compounds differ significantly. Sulfuryl chloride is a source of <a href="/facts/Chlorine/y27UwYBM">chlorine</a> whereas thionyl chloride is a source of <a href="/facts/Chloride/m9NUaUDR">chloride</a> ions.
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Thionyl chloride open-in-new

Thionyl chloride