benzotrichloride

Benzotrichloride (BTC), also known as α,α,α-trichlorotoluene, phenyl chloroform or (trichloromethyl)benzene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CCl3. Benzotrichloride is an unstable, colorless or somewhat yellowish, viscous, chlorinated hydrocarbon with a penetrating odor. Benzotrichloride is used extensively as a chemical intermediate for products of various classes, i.e. dyes and antimicrobial agents.

== Structure and reactivity == Benzotrichloride is a poorly water-soluble, clear to yellowish liquid with a penetrating odor. It hydrolyzes rapidly to benzoic acid and hydrochloric acid with a half life of about 2.4 minutes, thus making the compound unstable in the presence of water. In other chemical reactions, benzotrichloride reacts at the chlorinated α-carbon, for example in substitution reactions. It is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of benzoyl chloride, benzotrifluoride and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone which in turn are also intermediates in other reactions: C6H5CCl3 + resorcinol → 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone C6H5CCl3 + H2O → C6H5C(O)Cl + 2 HCl C6H5CCl3 + 3 KF → C6H5CF3 + 3 KCl