Reed reaction
The Reed reaction is a chemical reaction that utilizes to oxidize hydrocarbons to sulfonyl chlorides. The reaction performs via the free radicals. First, the light initiates homolysis of a molecule of chlorine. Then a chlorine atom produced attacks the hydrocarbon chain to form hydrogen chloride and an alkyl free radical. Then SO2 as an electron donor attacks the alkyl radical forming an sulfonyl radical. Finally, the least one attacks another chlorine molecule to produce a sulfonyl chloride and a new chlorine atom which continues the reaction chain.
Chain initiation:
Chain propagation steps:
The resulting sulfonyl chlorides are widely used in the detergent industry as a raw material.
Under particular circumstances (40–80 °C) only chlorination of alkane may take place.
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