Reed Reaction

Abstract

The photochemical transformation of hydrocarbon into aliphatic sulfonyl chlorides in the presence of sulfuryl chloride or sulfur dioxide and chlorine under actinic light illumination is known as the Reed reaction or Reed process. This reaction is presumed to occur via a free‐radical mechanism, and usually gives the mixtures of both sulfochlorination and chlorination products. The study finds that under certain controlled conditions, monosulfonyl chlorides can be produced predominantly. This reaction has been modified by the use of gamma‐ray illumination. This reaction has been widely applied in industry for the production of synthetic detergents and wetting agents as well as for the modification of polyethylene.