Difference Between Ethyl Chloride and Chlorobenzene

The key difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene is that ethyl chloride is aliphatic, whereas chlorobenzene is aromatic.

Chlorobenzene has a benzene ring with a chlorine atom attached to it. Here, the chlorine atom has replaced one of the hydrogen atoms in the ring. Therefore, the delocalized electron cloud of the benzene ring is also there. Meanwhile, ethyl chloride is an aliphatic compound that has no ring structures in it.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ethyl Chloride
3. What is Chlorobenzene
4. Side by Side Comparison – Ethyl Chloride vs Chlorobenzene in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Ethyl Chloride?

Ethyl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₂H₅Cl. It has the structure of ethane with one of its hydrogen atoms replaced with a chlorine atom. It occurs as colourless and flammable gas, and we can keep it in the liquid form when refrigerated. Besides, this compound is commonly used as a gasoline additive.

Moreover, its molar mass is 64.51 g/mol. It has a pungent and ethereal odour. The melting point is −138.7 °C, and the boiling point is 12.27 °C. Further, we can produce this compound via hydrochlorination of ethane. The reaction is as follows:

C₂H₄ + HCl → C₂H₅Cl

What is Chlorobenzene?

Chlorobenzene is an aromatic organic compound which has a benzene ring with an attached chlorine atom. The chemical formula of this compound is C₆H₅Cl. It is a colourless and flammable liquid. But, it has an almond-like odour. The molar mass is 112.56 g/mol. The melting point of this compound is −45 °C while the boiling point is 131 °C.

Besides, when considering the uses of this compound, it is very important as an intermediate in the production of compounds such as herbicides, rubber, etc. Also, it is a high boiling solvent we use in industrial applications.

Moreover, we can produce chlorobenzene by chlorination of benzene in the presence of Lewis acids such as ferric chloride, sulfur dichloride, etc. Here, the Lewis acid acts as the catalyst for the reaction. It can enhance the electrophilicity of chlorine. Further, since chlorine is electronegative, chlorobenzene tends not to undergo further chlorination. More importantly, this compound shows low to moderate toxicity. However, if this compound enters our body via breathing, our lungs and urinary system can excrete it.

What is the Difference Between Ethyl Chloride and Chlorobenzene?

Ethyl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₂H₅Cl while Chlorobenzene is an aromatic organic compound which has a benzene ring with an attached chlorine atom. The key difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene is that ethyl chloride is aliphatic, whereas chlorobenzene is aromatic.

The following infographic highlights the difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene.

Summary – Ethyl Chloride vs Chlorobenzene

Ethyl chloride is an organic compound which has the chemical formula C₂H₅Cl while Chlorobenzene is an aromatic organic compound which has a benzene ring with an attached chlorine atom. In summary, the key difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene is that ethyl chloride is aliphatic, whereas chlorobenzene is aromatic.

Reference:

1. “Chloroethane.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Chloroethane-3D-balls” By Benjah-bmm27 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Chlorobenzene” By MarinaVladivostok – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia