C8H7ClO

C8H7ClO is the molecular formula for several chemical compounds. One common isomer with this formula is 4-chlorobenzaldehyde. This compound is an aromatic aldehyde, meaning it contains a benzene ring with an aldehyde group (-CHO) and a chlorine atom attached. 4-chlorobenzaldehyde is typically a white to off-white crystalline solid at room temperature. It has a distinct odor and is soluble in organic solvents.

Industrially, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde is an important intermediate in the synthesis of various organic chemicals. It is used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. For example, it serves as a precursor for certain pesticides and herbicides. Its reactivity stems from the presence of both the aldehyde group, which can undergo various addition and oxidation reactions, and the chlorine atom on the aromatic ring, which can be involved in nucleophilic substitution reactions under specific conditions.

Other isomers with the molecular formula C8H7ClO also exist, such as 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 3-chlorobenzaldehyde, which differ in the position of the chlorine atom relative to the aldehyde group on the benzene ring. These isomers may have slightly different physical properties and reactivity, but they share the same elemental composition.