1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is a versatile chlorinated hydrocarbon widely used in industrial applications. Whether you are a chemical professional, industrial buyer, or student, understanding its properties, uses, safety, structure, and synthesis is essential.
Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid with a strong odor similar to chloroform.
Boiling Point: 146.3°C
Melting Point: −42.5°C
Density: Higher than water
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (0.29% at 25°C); miscible with organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, petroleum ether, halogenated hydrocarbons, and carbon disulfide.
Chemical Behavior: Strong solvent for lipids, waxes, resins, dyes, rubber, PVC, and inorganic substances like sulfur and phosphorus. Forms an azeotrope with water at 93.2°C (68.9% tetrachloroethane / 31.1% water).
Stability: Pure compound is stable in the absence of air, moisture, and light; impure or alkaline conditions can lead to decomposition producing trichloroethylene or hydrogen chloride.
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane has several industrial applications:
Intermediate Chemical: Used to produce trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, pentachloroethane, and hexachloroethane.
Solvent: Nonflammable solvent for shellac, resins, waxes, and other organic materials.
Chemical Manufacturing: Used in metal detergents, paint removers, insecticides, herbicides, alcohol denaturants, and similar products.
Industrial Fuel Additive: Though less common, some chlorinated hydrocarbons are applied in specialty formulations.
Note: Its high toxicity and susceptibility to hydrolysis limit its direct applications in consumer products.
Handling 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane requires strict precautions:
Toxicity: Similar to chloroform; exposure can affect the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
Occupational Limit: In China, the allowable workplace air concentration is 5 × 10⁻⁶ (volume fraction).
Decomposition Risks: Impurities or contact with air, moisture, or strong bases can generate trichloroethylene, hydrogen chloride, or dichloroacetylene (highly explosive).
Protective Measures: Use approved respirators, rubber gloves, and splash-proof goggles. Avoid inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
First Aid:
Inhalation: Move to fresh air and administer oxygen; seek medical help.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; obtain immediate medical attention.
Skin/Eye Contact: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing.
Molecular Formula: C₂H₂Cl₄
Molecular Weight: 167.85 g/mol
Structure: Two chlorine atoms are attached to each carbon of the ethane backbone (hence “1,1,2,2”).
Cl Cl | |H - C - C - H | | Cl Cl
This configuration makes it a fully chlorinated ethane derivative, contributing to its stability, solvent power, and reactivity.
Industrial Production:
Reaction Type: Addition of chlorine to acetylene.
Catalysts: Ferric chloride (FeCl₃) or antimony pentachloride (SbCl₅).
Process:
Acetylene and chlorine gases are continuously fed into liquid 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (acting as solvent) under reflux and reduced pressure.
Heat generated by the exothermic reaction is removed via evaporation and condensation.
Yield: Approximately 97% based on acetylene.
Safety Considerations: Gas-phase reaction is explosive; proper containment, reflux, and monitoring are essential.
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is a highly useful industrial chemical with applications as a solvent and chemical intermediate. While its toxicity and reactivity require careful handling, it remains a key component in producing chlorinated organics, solvents, and specialty chemicals.
Proper knowledge of its properties, uses, structure, safety precautions, and synthesis methods is essential for industrial chemists, chemical engineers, and buyers in the chemical sector.
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