Carbon tetrachloride

From Sciencemadness Wiki
Revision as of 10:28, 4 August 2015 by Ave369 (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

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

Delete this section if not applicable

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.

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).

Storage

In closed bottles, away from any heat source.

Disposal

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads