Formation of bis (chloromethyl) ether in the vapor phase: a computational investigation

We present results from a computational investigation of the thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions that may lead to the formation of the potent carcinogen bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) in a gas-phase environment that contains only monomeric formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, and water. All calculations were performed using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-311++G** computational level. We find no evidence that BCME forms spontaneously whenever formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride coexist in humid air. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.