Various aliphatic chlorides were prepared from different petroleum fractions by adopting Reed's sulphochlorination technique. The extent of sulphochlorination of the various petroleum fractions was evaluated by estimating the sulphur content in the different sulphonyl chlorides so prepared. The prepared sulphonyl chlorides along with pure authentic aliphatic and aromatic sulphonyl chlorides were characterised for their stability to water under neutral and alkline conditions. The stability of these various sulphonyl chlorides to pyridine-water was also investigated. The results obtained indicate that Immergan (-a commerical product-a long chain aliphtic sulphonyl chloride) is fairly stable in neutral and slightly alkaline conditions (such as sodium carbonate solution) and unstable in high alkaline pH and aqueous pyridine solutions.