A colourless liquid, SO2Cl2; r.d. 1.67; m.p. –54.1°C; b.p. 69°C. It decomposes in water but is soluble in benzene. The compound is formed by the action of chlorine on sulphur dioxide in the presence of an iron(III) chloride catalyst or sunlight. It is used as a chlorinating agent and a source of the related fluoride, SO2F2.