Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Chloroacetaldehyde is the organic compound with the formula ClCH2CHO. Like some related compounds it is highly electrophilic reagent and a potentially dangerous alkylating agent. The compound is not normally encountered in the anhydrous form but rather as the hydrate (acetal) ClCH2CH(OH)2. Chloroacetaldehyde is a useful intermediate in the synthesis e.g. of 2-aminothiazole or many pharmaceutical compounds.Another use is to facilitate bark removal from tree trunks.