2chloro2methylpropane

2-chloro-2-methylpropane, also known as tert-butyl chloride or tert-chlorobutane, is a tertiary alkyl halide with the chemical formula C4H9Cl. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a characteristic camphor-like odor. Its structure features a central carbon atom bonded to three methyl groups and one chlorine atom. This arrangement makes it a sterically hindered molecule.

Tert-butyl chloride is soluble in many organic solvents but has limited solubility in water. It is a relatively unstable compound and can decompose, especially when heated or exposed to moisture, to form isobutylene and hydrogen chloride. This decomposition is a common characteristic of tertiary alkyl halides.

The primary use of 2-chloro-2-methylpropane is as a reagent in organic synthesis. Its tertiary structure makes it prone to elimination reactions, particularly the E1 mechanism, and nucleophilic substitution reactions, primarily via the SN1 mechanism. It is often employed in the introduction of the tert-butyl group into organic molecules. For example, it can be used to alkylate alcohols, phenols, or amines to form tert-butyl ethers or tert-butylamines. It is also used in the preparation of tert-butyl magnesium chloride, a Grignard reagent. Due to its reactivity and potential for decomposition, it is typically handled with care in a laboratory setting.