What is dichloromethane?
Dichloromethane ( DCM or methylene chloride) is an organochloride compound with the formula C H 2 Cl 2. This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform -like, sweet odour is widely used as a solvent.
What are the properties of dichloromethane CH2Cl2?
These Properties of dichloromethane CH2Cl2 are combined with its volatility, making DCM a highly effective solvent in most of the industrial processes. DCM is most commonly used as a paint remover.
What are the signs and symptoms of dichloromethane toxicity?
Symptoms of acute overexposure to dichloromethane via inhalation include difficulty concentrating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, numbness, weakness, and irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.
Is dichloromethane more polar or nonpolar?
Dichloromethane is more polar, and hexane is more nonpolar. Hexane is one of the hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are nonpolar as carbon and hydrogen are approximately equally efficient at pulling over electrons. The ability to attract electrons to the bond is known as electronegativity.
How flammable is dichloromethane?
DCM is normally stable, non-flammable and non-explosive when mixed with air; temperatures above 100 °C should be avoided. A wide range of odour thresholds (530–2120 mg/m3) have been reported, but detection occurs around 530 mg/m3 and recognition around 810 mg/m3.
Is dichloromethane extremely flammable?
Dichloromethane, commonly called methylene chloride, is a solvent that is widely used in chemical research and manufacturing. It is a highly volatile liquid (see fast facts table), but it is neither flammable nor explosive in air. Dichloromethane is commonly produced by chlorinating methane.
What happens when dichloromethane is heated?
Dichloromethane appears as a colorless liquid with a sweet, penetrating, ether-like odor. Noncombustible by if exposed to high temperatures may emit toxic chloride fumes.
What is the melting point of dichloromethane?
-142.1°F (-96.7°C)Dichloromethane / Melting point
What is the boiling point of dichloromethane?
103.3°F (39.6°C)Dichloromethane / Boiling point
Can you boil dichloromethane?
Since the Boiling Point of DCM is very low and the reaction temp is more than twice of Boiling Point so the rise in pressure at 100 C would be very high. So proper study of literature is recommended before starting of reaction.
How would you handle fire involving dichloromethane?
Personal Precautions: Evacuate the area immediately. Isolate the hazard area. Keep out unnecessary and unprotected personnel. Eliminate all ignition sources.
Why does dichloromethane evaporate quickly?
It has a moderate water solubility of 20 g/l and a low tendency to adsorb to particles and sediments. Because of its high volatility dichloromethane is expected to evaporate rapidly from water bodies.
Can DCM be stored in plastic?
Polythene is resistant to dcm in that it isn't destroyed by it. Unfortunately the dcm diffuses through it and escapes. The technical solution to this is the foil-lined cap.
Does DCM react with water?
While dichloromethane isn't miscible with water, it is able to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds. These properties, combined with its volatility, makes DCM a highly effective solvent in many industrial processes. Most commonly, DCM is used as a paint remover.
What can dichloromethane dissolve?
While it isn't miscible with water, it can dissolve many polar organic compounds, making it an excellent solvent....That said, DCM is miscible with the following solvents:Ethyl acetate.Alcohol.Hexanes.Benzene.CCl. ... Diethyl ether.CHCl.
What precautions should you take when working with dichloromethane?
When handling dichloromethane in the workplace, use the following safety precautions:Wear protective clothing. Footwear should cover the entire foot.Always wear PPE such as chemical splash goggles and safety gloves.Work in a well-ventilated area (preferably in an environment with a fume extraction system).
Is mecl2 flammable?
DOT#: UN 1593 ERG Guide #: 160 Hazard Class: 6.1 (Poison) Methylene Chloride may burn, but does not readily ignite. Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray or foam as extinguishing agents. POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Hydrogen Chloride and Phosgene. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
How do you dispose of DCM?
Dichloromethane is a waste chemical stream constituent which may be subjected to ultimate disposal by controlled incineration, preferably after mixing with another combustible fuel; care must be exercised to assure complete combustion to prevent the formation of phosgene.
What are the uses of dichloromethane?
Uses of Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2)Dichloromethane is used as a solvent in food technology.It is used in aerosol formulations.It is am ethane foam blowing agent.Used as a solvent in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.CH2Cl2 is used as a degreasing agent.Used in the manufacturing of electronics.
1. What to Do When We are Exposed to Dichloromethane?
Some of the safety steps which need to be taken if we are exposed to dichloromethane are listed below.Eye Contact - Flush your eyes Immediately wit...
2. Which is More Nonpolar - Hexane or Dichloromethane?
Dichloromethane is more polar, and hexane is more nonpolar.Hexane is one of the hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are nonpolar as carbon and hydrogen are...
3. What is the Use of Dichloromethane in Food and Beverage Manufacturing?
It can be used for removing caffeine from tea leaves and roasted coffee beans to make decaffeinated tea and coffee and is also used in processing s...
4. What is the Application of Dichloromethane in the Field of Medicines?
Dichloromethane is used to extract chemicals from food and plants for medicinal purposes such as antibiotics, vitamins, and steroids. Medical equip...
5. How is Dichloromethane Used in the Transportation Industry?
Methylene chloride is also used to de-grease the surfaces and parts of metal such as railroad tracks and equipment and airplane components. The de-...
How many bathtub refinishers died from DCM?
In February 2013, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warned that at least 14 bathtub refinishers have died since 2000 from DCM exposure.
What are the consequences of DCM?
More severe consequences can include suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and death. DCM is also metabolized by the body to carbon monoxide potentially leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Acute exposure by inhalation has resulted in optic neuropathy and hepatitis.
How is DCM produced?
DCM is produced by treating either chloromethane or methane with chlorine gas at 400–500 °C. At these temperatures, both methane and chloromethane undergo a series of reactions producing progressively more chlorinated products. In this way, an estimated 400,000 tons were produced in the US, Europe, and Japan in 1993.
What is DCM used for?
DCM is used in the material testing field of civil engineering ; specifically it is used during the testing of bituminous materials as a solvent to separate the binder from the aggregate of an asphalt or macadam to allow the testing of the materials.
How many tons of chloroform were produced in 1993?
In this way, an estimated 400,000 tons were produced in the US, Europe, and Japan in 1993. The output of these processes is a mixture of chloromethane, dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride as well as hydrogen chloride as a byproduct. These compounds are separated by distillation .
What is the name of the compound with the formula C H 2 Cl 2?
Dichloromethane ( DCM or methylene chloride) is an organochloride compound with the formula C H 2 Cl 2. This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform -like, sweet odour is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with water, it is polar, and miscible with many organic solvents.
Where does dichloromethane come from?
Occurrence. Natural sources of dichloromethane include oceanic sources, macroalgae, wetlands, and volcanoes. However, the majority of dichloromethane in the environment is the result of industrial emissions.
Why is DCM used in coffee extraction?
Because the caffeine is more soluble in DCM (at 140 mg/ml) than it is in water (at 22 mg/ml), DCM became a preferred solvent to use in the caffeine extraction. In coffee, the unroasted beans repeatedly rinse in Dichloromethane after being steamed. The DCM then extracts the caffeine from them before being drained away. This results in flavoursome coffee beans without the kick.
What is dichloromethane used for?
Many of the uses of Dichloromethane are associated with its solvent properties. It serves as a part of paint strippers and varnish strippers in the household. In comparison, DCM is also used in the bathtub refinishing.
How is dichloromethane synthesized?
Dichloromethane can be synthesized by treating either methane or chloromethane with chlorine gas at temperatures between 400 and 500° C. They undergo a series of reactions that produce more chlorinated products. Approximately 4.00 000 tons were produced in countries such as Japan, Europe, and the United States in 1993.
What is CH2C12?
What is Dichloromethane CH2C12? Dichloromethane is an organochloride compound having the chemical formula CH2Cl2. It is a colourless, volatile liquid with a moderately sweet aroma, which is a widely used solvent. Although not miscible with water, it is polar and miscible with several organic solvents.
Why is methylene dichloride a volatile liquid?
The Methylene chloride is a colourless liquid that has a sweet, penetrating, and gives ether-like smell. It is a volatile liquid chlorinated hydrocarbon and is non-combustible.
What happens when dichloromethane is inhaled?
When dichloromethane has been inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream, it gives rise to carbon monoxide. This happens because the enzyme Cytochrome P-450 metabolises with DCM, and later the carbon monoxide is formed, and this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
What is the purpose of a solvent?
For example, the solvent is used to remove caffeine from coffee beans and tea leaves, to make spices, to form hops extract for beers, and more.
Overview
Dichloromethane (DCM or methylene chloride, methylene bichloride ) is an organochlorine compound with the formula CH2Cl2. This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odour is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with water, it is polar, and miscible with many organic solvents.
Occurrence
Natural sources of dichloromethane include oceanic sources, macroalgae, wetlands, and volcanoes. However, the majority of dichloromethane in the environment is the result of industrial emissions.
Production
DCM is produced by treating either chloromethane or methane with chlorine gas at 400–500 °C. At these temperatures, both methane and chloromethane undergo a series of reactions producing progressively more chlorinated products. In this way, an estimated 400,000 tons were produced in the US, Europe, and Japan in 1993.
CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl CH3Cl + Cl2 → CH2Cl2 + HCl CH2Cl2 + Cl2 → CHCl3 + HCl CHCl3 + C…
Uses
DCM's volatility and ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds makes it a useful solvent for many chemical processes. In the food industry, it is used to decaffeinate coffee and tea as well as to prepare extracts of hops and other flavourings. Its volatility has led to its use as an aerosol spray propellant and as a blowing agent for polyurethane foams.
Toxicity
Even though DCM is the least toxic of the simple chlorohydrocarbons, it has serious health risks. Its high volatility makes it an acute inhalation hazard. It can also be absorbed through the skin. Symptoms of acute overexposure to dichloromethane via inhalation include difficulty concentrating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, numbness, weakness, and irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. More severe consequences can include suffocation, loss of cons…
Environmental effects
Dichloromethane is not classified as an ozone-depleting substance by the Montreal Protocol. The U.S. Clean Air Act does not regulate dichloromethane as an ozone depleter. Recent research shows that dichloromethane and other halogenated very short-lived substances (VSLSs), despite their short atmospheric lifetimes of less than 0.5 year, can contribute to stratospheric oz…
See also
• Chloromethane
• Trichloromethane
• Tetrachloromethane
• List of chemical compounds
• List of organic compounds
External links
• International Chemical Safety Card 0058
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0414". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
• National Pollutant Inventory – Dichloromethane Fact Sheet