Dichloroacetyl chloride is the organic compound with the formula CHCl2COCl. It is the acyl chloride of dichloroacetic acid. It is a colourless liquid and is used in acylation reactions. Preparation Unlike typical acid chlorides, dichloroacetyl chloride is not prepared from the acid. Industrial routes include oxidation of 1,1,2-trichloroethane, hydrolysis of pentachloroethane, and the carboxylation of chloroform: CHCl2CH2Cl + O2 → CHCl2COCl + H2O CHCl2CCl3 + H2O → CHCl2COCl + 2 HCl CHCl3 + CO2 → CHCl2COCl + 1/2 O2 Uses Hydrolysis gives dichloroacetic acid. It is one of the precursors to antibiotics, including chloramphenicol. Another reported use was in the synthesis of WIN 18,446. References Acyl chlorides