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| Tetrachloroethylene Usage And Synthesis |
| Chemical Properties | colourless liquid with ether-like odour |
| Usage | Features high transparancy in the MIR region and is a less toxic alternative to CCl4 in IR spectroscopy. |
| General Description | A clear colorless volatile liquid having an ether-like odor. Noncombustible. Insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Density approximately 13.5 lb / gal. Used as dry cleaning solvent, a degreasing solvent, a drying agent for metals, and in the manufacture of other chemicals. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Insoluble in water. |
| Reactivity Profile | Tetrachloroethylene decomposes upon heating and exposure to UV light to give phosgene and HCl. Reacts violently with finely dispersed light metals (aluminum) and zinc. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 887]. Mixtures with finely divided barium or lithium metal can detonate [ASESB Pot. Incid. 39. 1968; Chem. Eng. News 46(9):38. 1968]. Decomposes very slowly in water to form trichloroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid |
| Health Hazard | Vapor can affect central nervous system and cause anesthesia. Liquid may irritate skin after prolonged contact. May irritate eyes but causes no injury. |
| Fire Hazard | Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic, irritating gases may be generated in fires. |