Chloral reaction with, phosgene

Even more surprising, we discovered that 2,2-dichlorovi-nyl chloroformate is isolated in 50% distilled yield when chloral is treated with phosgene and zinc dust in methyl acetate (Ref. 167). Efforts were made to generalize this process by extending the reaction to other a-chloro and a-bromo aldehydes and ketones as shown in table 3-18 (Ref. 167). 

The reaction of phosgene with butanal under substantially similar conditions to those used for the reaction of phosgene with ethanal gave smaller yields of the 1,1-dichloro-derivative, and the reaction of phosgene with gaseous chloral, CCI3CHO, over activated... 

Chloral hydrate—Chloral (U. S.)—is a white, crystalline solid fuses at 57° fl84°.6 F.) boils at 98° (203°.4 F.), at which temperature it suffers partial decomposition into chloral and H.O volatilizes slowly at ordinary temperatures is very soluble in HjO neutral in reaction has an ethereal odor, and a sharp, pungent taste. Concentrated HjSO. decomposes it with formation of chloral and chloralid. H NO. converts it into trichloracetic acid. When pure it gives no precipitate with silver nitrate solution, and is not browned by contact with concentrated H,SO.. Under-the influence of sunlight it is violently decomposed by potassium chlorate. Chlorin, phosgene gas, carbon dioxid, and chloroform are given off, and after a time, crystals of potassium trichlor-acetate separate from the cooled mixture. 

---