Chloromethyl methyl ether
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| Names | |
|---|---|
|  IUPAC name
 Chloro(methoxy)methane  | |
|  Other names
 MOM-Cl, CMME, MCD, Chlorodimethyl ether, Chloromethoxymethane, Dimethylchloroether, Methylchloromethyl ether  | |
| Identifiers | |
|  107-30-2  | |
| ChemSpider |  13852893  | 
| Jmol interactive 3D | Image | 
| KEGG |  C19160  | 
 
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| Properties | |
| C2H5ClO | |
| Molar mass | 80.51 g·mol−1 | 
| Appearance | Colorless liquid | 
| Odor | Irritating, HCl like | 
| Density | 1.06 g/mL | 
| Melting point | −103.5 °C (−154.3 °F; 169.7 K) | 
| Boiling point | 55–57 °C (131–135 °F; 328–330 K) | 
| Decompose | |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and ether | 
| Vapor pressure | 192 mmHg (21°C)[2] | 
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Carcinogen; Nocive; irritant | 
| Safety data sheet | http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0129.pdf | 
| R-phrases | R11 R20/21/22 R45 | 
| S-phrases | S45 S53 | 
| NFPA 704 | |
| Flash point | 0 °C (32 °F; 273 K) (open cup)[2] | 
| US health exposure limits (NIOSH): | |
|   PEL (Permissible)  | 
OSHA-Regulated Carcinogen, no PEL[2] | 
|   REL (Recommended)  | 
Carcinogenic[2] | 
|   IDLH (Immediate danger  | 
N.D.[2] | 
|   Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).  | |
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| Infobox references | |
Chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) is a compound with formula CH3OCH2Cl. It is a chloroalkyl ether. It is used as an alkylating agent and industrial solvent to manufacture dodecylbenzyl chloride, water repellents, ion-exchange resins, polymers, and as a chloromethylation reagent. In organic synthesis, it is used for introducing the methoxymethyl (MOM) protecting group,[3] and is thus often called MOM-Cl or MOM chloride.
A convenient method to prepare MOM chloride in situ is by using dimethoxymethane and an acyl chloride in the presence of catalytic Lewis acid.[4] A very similar method, using a high-boiling acyl chloride, can be used to prepare pure material. This method yields > 93 % pure material with dimethoxymethane as the only contaminant.[5] In contrast, the venerable procedure from formaldehyde, methanol and hydrogen chloride[6] yields material contaminated with a significant amount of the dangerous bis-chloromethyl ether and requires fractional distillation.
CMME is a known human carcinogen.[7] Chronic exposure can increase the incidence of respiratory cancers, including small cell carcinoma.[8] It is one of 13 chemicals regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration despite not having an established permissible exposure limit.[9][10]
References
- ↑ Sigma-Aldrich
 - 1 2 3 4 5 "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards #0129". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
 - ↑ Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Green, 3rd Edition, pages 27-33. ISBN 0-471-16019-9
 - ↑ Synthesis of Alpha-Halo Ethers from Symmetric Acetals and In Situ Methoxymethylation of an Alcohol, Organic Syntheses, Vol. 84, No. 102 (2007)
 - ↑ R.J. Linderman, M. Jaber, B.D. Griedel, J. Org. Chem. 1994, 59, 6499-6500.
 - ↑ Monochloromethyl ether, Organic Syntheses I, 377
 - ↑ bis(Chloromethyl) Ether and Technical-Grade Chloromethyl Methyl Ether CAS Nos. 542-88-1 and 107-30-2 Report on carcinogens, eleventh edition
 - ↑ "Chloromethyl methyl ether". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Risk Information System. 7 March 2011. Accessed 3 May 2011.
 - ↑ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
 


