Question

Why does Ethanoyl chloride fume?

Answer 1

Ethanoyl chloride:

1. The IUPAC name of Acetyl chloride is ethanoyl chloride.
2. Ethanoyl chloride is an acid chloride having molecular formula ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COCl}$

Reason for the ethanoyl chloride fumes:

• Ethanoyl chloride will react with the moisture present in its surroundings to form acetic acid and hydrochloric acid.
• The ethanoyl chloride produces fumes as a result of the hydrochloric acid that is generated.
• The balanced chemical reaction can be represented as:

$\underset{\mathrm{Ethanoyl}\mathrm{chloride}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COCl}}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}\to \underset{\mathrm{Acetic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{acid}}{\mathrm{HCl}}$