What is the Difference Between Ethyl Chloride and Chlorobenzene?

The main difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene lies in their chemical structures and reactivities. Here are the key differences:

1. Chemical Structure: Ethyl chloride is an aliphatic compound with the chemical formula C2H5Cl, while chlorobenzene is an aromatic compound with the formula C6H5Cl. Ethyl chloride has no ring structures, whereas chlorobenzene has a benzene ring with a chlorine atom attached to it, replacing one of the hydrogen atoms in the ring.
2. Reactivity: Ethyl chloride reacts with AgNO3, resulting in the formation of a white precipitate of AgCl. On the other hand, chlorobenzene does not react with aqueous AgNO3 due to the presence of a delocalized electron cloud in the benzene ring, which makes the C-Cl bond partially double-bonded. This imparts stability to the molecule and reduces its reactivity compared to ethyl chloride.

In summary, ethyl chloride is an aliphatic compound with a simpler chemical structure, while chlorobenzene is an aromatic compound with a more complex structure. Ethyl chloride is more reactive than chlorobenzene due to the difference in their chemical structures and the presence of a delocalized electron cloud in chlorobenzene.

Comparative Table: Ethyl Chloride vs Chlorobenzene

The main difference between ethyl chloride and chlorobenzene is their chemical structure and properties. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two compounds:

Ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) is an aliphatic compound with a molecular mass of 64.51 g/mol, while chlorobenzene (C6H5Cl) is an aromatic compound with a molecular mass of 112.56 g/mol. Ethyl chloride is a colorless gas that can be kept in liquid form when refrigerated, and it is commonly used as a gasoline additive. Chlorobenzene, on the other hand, is a colorless liquid and is used as an intermediate in the production of various compounds, such as herbicides and rubber.

Due to the delocalized electron cloud of the benzene ring in chlorobenzene, the chlorine atom is less reactive compared to the chlorine atom in ethyl chloride. This difference in reactivity can be observed when reacting both compounds with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and an alcohol; chloroethane forms an alkene upon reaction, whereas chlorobenzene shows no reaction.