Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Acid chlorides are a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a chlorine atom. They are derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl group (OH) with a chlorine atom.
Organic compounds containing a carboxyl group (COOH), which combines a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group.
Carbonyl Group: A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O), central to various organic compounds including acid chlorides and ketones.
A chemical reaction in which an acid chloride reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and hydrogen chloride, showcasing one of the reactive properties of acid chlorides