Methyl hypochlorite

Methyl hypochlorite is the simplest of the organic alkyl hypochlorites. It is an unstable compound that can be produced by the reaction of methanol with hypochlorous acid.^[1] It was first synthesized by Traugott Sandmeyer in the 1880s.^[2]

Methyl hypochlorite

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Methyl hypochlorite
Other names (Chlorooxy)methane; Hypochlorous acid methyl ester; Methoxy chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	593-78-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	71388 Y
PubChem CID	79056
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID70208036
InChI InChI=1S/CH3ClO/c1-3-2/h1H3 Y Key: UCFFGYASXIPWPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1S/CH3ClO/c1-3-2/h1H3 Key: UCFFGYASXIPWPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES COCl
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3ClO
Molar mass	66.48 g·mol−1
Appearance	Gas
Odor	Pungent
Density	1.058 g/cm3
Melting point	−120.4 °C (−184.7 °F; 152.8 K)
Boiling point	9.18 °C (48.52 °F; 282.33 K)
Solubility in water	Decomposes
Refractive index (nD)	1.343
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	4 4
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Methyl hypochlorite forms in the Earth's atmosphere by a reaction between ClO and CH₃OO and is thought to be an important species in ozone destruction over the Arctic and Antarctic regions.^[3]

See also

• tert-Butyl hypochlorite, a useful and relatively stable organic hypochlorite