Perchloroethylene

Cas No: 127-18-4           
EINESC No: 204-825-9 
Molecular weight: 165,82 g/mol  

Chemical Formula:  C2Cl4 
Chemical Structure:

Physical Properties

General Properties: luminous colorless liquid

Odor: chloric, disturbing

Intensity: 1.622 g/cm g/cm3

Boiling point: 121,1 °C

Melting point: −19 °C

Flash point:

Vapor pressure: 14 mmHg (20 °C)

Refraction index: 1,5055 nD

Solubility: 0.15 g/L (25 °C),

Viscosity:

General Properties

Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene, is a colorless, strong scented solvent that is mainly used in dry cleaning business. Even in 1 ppm, its odor is distinguishable by humans. Perchloroethylene is a very good solvent and has very low toxicity.

Production

Perchloroethylene is industrially produced by chlorolysis of mostly light hydrocarbons in high temperatures. Many byproducts are also produced in this process. These items are disintigrated by distillation.

Ethylene chlorine is also produced by catalyzation of potassium chlorine, ammonium chlorine or active carbone and chlorine in 400 °C. Bypoducts are distillated, similar to above mentioned method.

Applications

Perchloroethylene is mostly used in dry  cleaning business. It is a very good solvent and stain remover. It also has very low toxicity.

It is also used to clean oils in automotive and many other metal-related industries. Certain dye removers and stain removers contain perchloroethylene. It had been used in coolant and medicine productions but it is not preferred now.

Safety Measures and Toxic Values

Perchloroethylene’s toxicity is classified as low and middle levels. Although it is commonly used in dry cleaning business, perchloroethylene poisonings are rarely reported. It may dissolve oil on tissue as it is a very good oil remover. It is extremely irritant for eyes and skin. Prolonged exposure may cause chemical burns.

It can enter the body from both inhalation and absorption. Consistent consumption is suspected to be carciogenic. It also effects neural system. It may cause vertigo, hypokinesis and nausea. It is suspected to cause color blindness. Therefore, it must be handled with extreme care.

It is very dangerous for aquatic life. It sinks to the bottom as it has higher intensity than water therefore, it is extremely hard to clean up. It must never be given to city sewage network.