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My textbook mentions that chlorination of alkanes by $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ is preferred over $\ce{SOCl2}$, but I didn't understand why.

Could someone explain which of the two reagents I should use in what situations, and briefly tell me why?

There is a similar question here: How does SO2Cl2 react with alcohols?

However the answers there did not completely clarify my doubts.

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The reactivity patterns of $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ and $\ce{SOCl2}$ are quite different. $\ce{SOCl2}$ is a good electrophile, and can be thought of as a source of $\ce{Cl-}$ ions. These ions can go on to react in their typical nucleophilic fashion. $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ however is often a $\ce{Cl2}$ source, as it readily decomposes giving off sulfur dioxide. Usually much easier/safer to use this than measuring out (and getting into solution) chlorine gas. The chlorination of simple alkanes by $\ce{Cl2}$ gas (or something that makes it in solution) happens by a radical mechanism i.e. $\ce{Cl.}$ not $\ce{Cl-}$.

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    $\begingroup$ A solid answer. $\endgroup$ – Lighthart Mar 22 '16 at 5:17
  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to Chemistry.SE! Take the tour to get familiar with this site. Mathematical expressions and equations can be formatted using $\LaTeX$ syntax. I have updated your post with chemistry markup. If you want to know more, please have a look here and here. We prefer to not use MathJax in the title field, see here for details. $\endgroup$ – Martin - マーチン Mar 22 '16 at 5:21
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks a lot for the precise answer. So the major difference is socl2 reacts by nucleophilic substitution, but so2cl2 reacts by free radical mechanism, right? $\endgroup$ – Mahathi Vempati Mar 22 '16 at 7:49
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    $\begingroup$ I would say that the major difference is the oxidation state of the Cl formed. As stated in the answer, SOCl2 is a source of chloride ions whereas SO2Cl2 is a source of chlorine. That is a consequence of the different reactivity of the two species (SOCl2 is an electrophile and SO2Cl2 decomposes into SO2 + Cl2) I'm just restating the answer... my goodness. $\endgroup$ – orthocresol Mar 22 '16 at 9:35
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Chlorination of alkanes by $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ is preferred over $\ce{SOCl2}$. Just pay little more attention on the word alkanes. So, the statement is absolutely correct. Just go through it (link)! Hence, For chlorination in alkanes, if you use $\ce{SO2Cl2}$, It undergoes a free radical substitution reaction and will get the product.


If we use $\ce{SOCl2}$, it undergoes a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Here, this reaction mechanism is explained.

So, You can see here that $\ce{SOCl2}$ doesn't produce a chlorine free radical. Hence, It is not possible to chlorinate alkanes using $\ce{SOCl2}$, which $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ does.

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to chemistry.SE! If you had any questions about the policies of our community, please β€Žvisit the help center. Please visit this page, this page and this β€Žone on how to format your future posts better with MathJax and Markdown. $\endgroup$ – M.A.R. Mar 22 '16 at 8:53
  • $\begingroup$ Oh! That makes a lot of sense. A nucleophile wouldn't be able to attack an alkane, right? Thanks a lot!! $\endgroup$ – Mahathi Vempati Mar 22 '16 at 9:02

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