Difference between revisions of "Carbon tetrachloride"

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==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Delete this section if not applicable
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Carbon tetrachloride used to be available in the past, but today it's hard to find, due to being toxic and carcinogenic. Most chemistry institutions have also phased out the use of CCl<sub>4</sub> in favor of other less dangerous solvents.
  
 
==Preparation==
 
==Preparation==
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It can also be prepared by chlorinating [[chloroform]] in the presence of light.
 
It can also be prepared by chlorinating [[chloroform]] in the presence of light.
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Complete halogenation of methane with chlorine under UV light is the
  
 
==Projects==
 
==Projects==
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===Safety===
 
===Safety===
 
Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver).
 
Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver).
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Carbon tetrachloride has practically no flammability at lower temperatures, but will oxidize at high temperatures in air to yield poisonous [[phosgene]].
  
 
===Storage===
 
===Storage===
In closed bottles, away from any heat source.
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Carbon tet should be stored in closed bottles, away from any heat source as well as oxidizers.
  
 
===Disposal===
 
===Disposal===
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Carbon tetrachloride is best neutralized with a modified Fenton's reagent solution.<ref>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389402000687</ref>
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A more accessible method involves the use of [[copper(II) acetate]].<ref>http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221866609_Investigation_of_Carbon_Tetrachloride_Destruction_by_Copper_Acetate</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=11169 carbon tetrachloride explosive]
 
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=11169 carbon tetrachloride explosive]
  
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[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
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[[Category:Inorganic compounds]]
 
[[Category:Carbon compounds]]
 
[[Category:Carbon compounds]]
 
[[Category:Chlorides]]
 
[[Category:Chlorides]]
 
[[Category:Perchlorocarbons]]
 
[[Category:Perchlorocarbons]]

Revision as of 10:12, 5 August 2015

Carbon tetrachloride, also known as tetrachloromethane or carbon tet, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CCl4.

Properties

Chemical

Carbon tetrachloride does not burn in air.

CCl4 will dissolve iodine.

Physical

Carbon tetrachloride is a colourless liquid with a strong ether-like smell. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents, such as benzene, carbon disulfide, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethanol, formic acid and naphtha. It boils at 76.72 °C and freezes at −22.92 °C.

Availability

Carbon tetrachloride used to be available in the past, but today it's hard to find, due to being toxic and carcinogenic. Most chemistry institutions have also phased out the use of CCl4 in favor of other less dangerous solvents.

Preparation

Carbon tetrachloride can be synthesized by chlorinating carbon disulfide at temperatures between 105 to 130 °C:

CS2 + 3 Cl2 → CCl4 + S2Cl2

It can also be prepared by chlorinating chloroform in the presence of light.

Complete halogenation of methane with chlorine under UV light is the

Projects

  • Solvent for chlorinating reactions
  • Make Carbon-Tet Explosive (CCl4 + Al powder)

Handling

Safety

Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver).

Carbon tetrachloride has practically no flammability at lower temperatures, but will oxidize at high temperatures in air to yield poisonous phosgene.

Storage

Carbon tet should be stored in closed bottles, away from any heat source as well as oxidizers.

Disposal

Carbon tetrachloride is best neutralized with a modified Fenton's reagent solution.[1]

A more accessible method involves the use of copper(II) acetate.[2]

References

  1. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389402000687
  2. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221866609_Investigation_of_Carbon_Tetrachloride_Destruction_by_Copper_Acetate

Relevant Sciencemadness threads