Chloroalkyl ether
Chloroalkyl ethers are a class of organic compounds with the general structure R-O-n-Cl, characterized as an ether connected to a chloromethyl group via an alkane chain.
Chloromethyl methyl ether is an ether with the formula. It is used as an alkylating agent and industrial solvent to manufacture dodecylbenzyl chloride, water repellents, ion-exchange resins, polymers, and as a chloromethylation reagent. In organic synthesis the compound is used for the introduction of the methoxymethyl protecting group.
Closely related compounds of industrial importance are bis(chloromethyl) ether and benzyl chloromethyl ether.
Methoxymethyl ethers and methoxyethyl ethers are common protecting groups in organic synthesis.