Process for preparing 2,6-dichlorotoluene

摘要

Liquid para-toluenesulfonyl chloride is reacted with chlorine gas at elevated temperatures in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Lewis acid catalyst, preferably antimony trichloride. Sulfuric acid is added then the reaction mixture is heated and subsequently cooled to about room temperature. Ammonium hydroxide is added then the reaction mixture is distilled to yield a substantially pure 2,6-dichlorotoluene.