Difference between revisions of "1,2-Dichloroethane"

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[[File:1,2-Dichloroethane-0.png|thumb|220x220px|Structure of 1,2-dichloroethane]]
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[[File:1,2-Dichloroethane.png|thumb|220x220px|Structure of 1,2-dichloroethane]]
 
'''1,2-dichloroethane''', or '''ethylene dichloride''', is a common solvent and reagent, going by the abbreviations '''EDC''' and '''1,2-DCA'''. It is also used to make [[vinyl chloride]], the major precursor to [[polyvinyl chloride]], commonly known as PVC.
 
'''1,2-dichloroethane''', or '''ethylene dichloride''', is a common solvent and reagent, going by the abbreviations '''EDC''' and '''1,2-DCA'''. It is also used to make [[vinyl chloride]], the major precursor to [[polyvinyl chloride]], commonly known as PVC.
  

Revision as of 20:59, 14 June 2015

Structure of 1,2-dichloroethane

1,2-dichloroethane, or ethylene dichloride, is a common solvent and reagent, going by the abbreviations EDC and 1,2-DCA. It is also used to make vinyl chloride, the major precursor to polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC.

Properties

Chemical

Ethylene dichloride is a slightly reactive polar solvent. It is sometimes used as a precursor to ethylenediamine and 1,1,1-trichloroethane[1].

Physical

Ethylene dichloride is colorless and has a high index of refraction, giving it a shiny appearance, similar to chloroform, which it also smells similarly to. It is a versatile solvent, though it does form azeotropes with water and many other solvents.

Availability

1,2-Dichloroethane is mostly bought from chemical suppliers rather than ordinary retail stores due to its inherent dangers.

Preparation

1,2-Dichloroethane can be prepared by bubbling chlorine through ethene solution (Eg. dissolved in Carbon Tetrachloride) with a Iron(III) chloride catalyst, or bubbling oxygen through a solution of 1 molar part ethene to four molar parts Hydrochloric acid with a Copper(II) chloride catalyst. The first procedure produces pure 1,2-dichloroethane, while the second results in water as well[2].

Projects

  • Ethylenediamine synthesis
  • Make PVC

Safety

Ethylene dichloride is toxic (by inhalation), flammable, and a carcinogen. All these hazards are amplified by the chemical's volatile nature. This chemical is also unstable when in the presence of aluminium, zinc, and iron[3].

References

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,2-Dichloroethane
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,2-Dichloroethane
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,2-Dichloroethane

Relevant Sciencemadness threads