Methyl hypochlorite

Methyl hypochlorite
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Methyl hypochlorite
	Other names (Chlorooxy)methane; Hypochlorous acid methyl ester; Methoxy chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	593-78-2 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	71388 ;
PubChem CID	79056;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID70208036 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/CH3ClO/c1-3-2/h1H3 Key: UCFFGYASXIPWPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1S/CH3ClO/c1-3-2/h1H3 Key: UCFFGYASXIPWPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N;
	SMILES COCl;
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3ClO
Molar mass	66.48 g·mol−1
Appearance	Gas
Odor	Pungent
Density	1.058 g/cm3
Melting point	−120.4 °C (−184.7 °F; 152.8 K)
Boiling point	9.18 °C (48.52 °F; 282.33 K)
Solubility in water	Decomposes
Refractive index (nD)	1.343
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	4 4
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Methyl hypochlorite is the simplest of the organic alkyl hypochlorites. It is an unstable compound that can be produced by the reaction of methanol with hypochlorous acid. It was first synthesized by Traugott Sandmeyer in the 1880s.

Methyl hypochlorite forms in the Earth's atmosphere by a reaction between ClO and CH₃OO and is thought to be an important species in ozone destruction over the Arctic and Antarctic regions.