Ethylene dichloride
Description
A colorless, oily liquid that smells like chloroform. Ethylene dichloride was first isolated in 1795 by Dutch chemists. It has been used as a solvent for fats, oils, waxes, gums, resins, plastics, and rubber. The solvent is also used in the production of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride. Ethylene dichloride is also mixed with carbon tetrachloride for use as the fumigants Dowfume 75, and Dowfume G.
Synonyms and Related Terms
ethylene chloride; 1,2-dichloroethane; ethane dichloride; EDC; Dutch liquid; Dutch oil; Brocide
Other Properties
Miscible in most organic solvents. Slightly soluble in water.
| Composition | ClCH2CH2CL |
|---|---|
| CAS | 107-06-2 |
| Melting Point | -40 |
| Density | 1.2569 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 98.96 |
| Boiling Point | 83-84 |
Hazards and Safety
Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Irritant to eyes and skin.
Human carcinogen.
Flammable. Flash point = 13 C (55 F). It may decompose with heat to produce toxic fumes including hydrogen chloride and phosgene (ICSC # 0007). May corrode metals in the presence of moisture.
LINK: International Chemical Safety Card
Authority
- R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Stephen R. Edwards, Bruce M. Bell, Mary Elizabeth King, Pest Control in Museums: a Status Report 1980, Association of Sytematics Collections, Washington DC, 1980
- Lynda A. Zycherman, J.Richard Schrock, A Guide to Museum Pest Control, FAIC and Association of Systematics Collections, Washington DC, 1988
- Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
- Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982