chloroacetic
Chloroacetic refers to a group of chlorinated derivatives of acetic acid, typically the chloroacetic acids. The most common are monochloroacetic acid (MCAA, ClCH2COOH), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA, Cl2CHCOOH), and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA, Cl3CCOOH). These compounds are constitutional isomers of chlorinated acetic acid and share general properties such as relatively high acidity, water solubility, and corrosivity. Their pKa values decrease as more chlorine atoms are substituted on the methyl group: MCAA around 2.8, DCAA around 1.3, and TCAA around 0.7.
Chloroacetic acids are typically crystalline solids at room temperature and are highly soluble in water. They
Production of monochloroacetic acid is primarily by chlorination of acetic acid in the presence of catalysts,
Uses of chloroacetic acids are industrial and synthetic: they serve as intermediates in the manufacture of