Ethylene dichloride (EDC), is a chlorinated hydrocarbon. It is a colourless liquid with a chloroform-like odour. The most common use of 1,2-dichloroethane is in the production of vinyl chloride, which is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, furniture and automobile upholstery, wall coverings, housewares, and automobile parts. 1,2-Dichloroethane is also used generally as an intermediate for other organic chemical compounds, and as a solvent. It forms azeotropes with many other solvents, including water (at a boiling point of 70.5 °C or 158.9 °F or 343.6 K) and other chlorocarbons.
PRODUCT NAME | : | ETHYLENEDICHLORIDE |
CAS number | : | 107-06-2 |
UN number | : | 1184 |
Formula | : | CH2CICH2CI |
Odour | : | CHOLOROFORM LIKE |
Solubility in water | : | SLIGHT |
Density | : | 1.255 at 20 oC |
Boiling point | : | 84 oC |
Melting point | : | -36 oC |
Viscosity | : | |
Flashpoint | : | 13 oC |
Explosive limits | : | 6.2 – 16 Vol% |
Vapour pressure | : | 87 mbar at 20 oC |
Skin absorption/irritation | : | YES |
TLV Country NL Year 1995 | : | 50 ppm 200 mg/m3 |
Pollution category 1994 | : | B |
Approximately 95% of the world's production of 1,2-dichloroethane is used in the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, chloroethene) with hydrogen chloride as a byproduct. VCM is the precursor to polyvinyl chloride.
The hydrogen chloride can be re-used in the production of more 1,2-dichloroethane via the oxychlorination route described above.
As a good polar aprotic solvent, 1,2-dichloroethane could be used as degreaser and paint remover but is now banned from use due to its toxicity and possible carcinogenity. As a useful 'building block' reagent, it is used as an intermediate in the production of various organic compounds such as ethylenediamine. In the laboratory it is occasionally used as a source of chlorine, with elimination of ethene and chloride.
Via several steps, 1,2-dichloroethane is a precursor to 1,1,1-trichloroethane, which is used in dry cleaning. Historically, 1,2-dichloroethane was used as an anti-knock additive in leaded fuels to scavenge lead from cylinders and valves preventing buildup .