Perchloroethylene

Description

Colorless chlorinated hydrocarbon with an ether-like odor. Perchloroethylene is used as a dry-cleaning Solvent and as a vapor-degreaser for metals.

Chemical structure

Synonyms and Related Terms

tetrachloroethylene; TCE; tetrachloroethene; ethylene tetrachloride; Perclene; Vaclene [DuPont]

Risks

• Irritating to eyes and skin.
• Potential carcinogen.
• Nonflammable, but may decompose in the presence of flames, hot surfaces or UV light to form toxic and corrosive fumes (hydrogen chloride, phosgene, chlorine).
• Decomposes slowly on contact with moisture producing trichloroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid.
• Cisco: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Miscible in ethanol, ether, chloroform, benzene. Insoluble in water.

Composition	Cl2C:CCl2
CAS	127-18-4
Melting Point	22 C
Density	1.6230 g/ml
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 165.8
Refractive Index	1.5055
Boiling Point	121 C

Resources and Citations

• The Merck Index, Susan Budavari (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 12th Edition, 1996

• Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990