1816. Carbon Tetrachloride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 56-23-5
Tetrachloromethane; perchloromethane; Necatorina; Benzinoform (Mallinckrodt).
CCl4; mol wt 153.82.
C 7.81%, Cl 92.19%.

Description and references

Obtained from carbon disulfide and chlorine in presence of a catalyst, e.g., SbCl5, Fe filings, or by the chlorination of hydrocarbons: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 230-234; H. D. DeShon in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 5 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1979) pp 704-714. Toxicity data: Svirbely, J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 29, 382 (1947); E. Browning, Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents (Elsevier, New York, 1965) pp 173-188. Use in induction of experimental liver disease: P. Trivedi, A. P. Mowat, Br. J. Exp. Pathol. 64, 25 (1983). Review of carcinogenic risk: IARC Monographs 20, 371-399 (1979); of toxicity studies: R. O. Recknagel et al., Pharmacol. Ther. 43, 139-154 (1989); of toxicology and environmental exposure: Environ. Health Criter. 208, 1-177 (1999); of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride (PB2006-100002, 2005) 361 pp.

Properties

Colorless, clear, nonflammable, heavy liquid; characteristic odor. May form phosgene when used to put out electrical fires. Poisonous. Use only when adequate ventilation is possible. d2525 1.589. bp 76.7°. mp -23°. nD20 1.4607. One ml dissolves in 2000 ml water; misc with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, petr ether, oils. LC50 for mice: 9528 ppm (Svirbely). LD50 in rats, mice, dogs (g/kg): 2.92, 12.1-14.4, 2.3 orally; LD50 in mice (g/kg): 4.1 i.p., 30.4 s.c. (IARC, 1979).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are CNS depression; drowsiness, dizziness, incoordination; nausea, vomiting; liver and kidney injury. Direct contact may cause skin and eye irritation; dermatitis through defatting action. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (PB2003-100121, 2003) p 54; Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology vol. 2E, G. D. Clayton, F. E. Clayton, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1994) p 4071-4080. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-44.

Use

As solvent for oils, fats, lacquers, varnishes, rubber waxes, resins; starting material in manuf of organic compds. Pharmaceutic aid (solvent). Formerly used as dry cleaning agent, fire extinguisher and grain fumigant.

Therapeutic Category

Formerly as anthelmintic (Nematodes).

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Anthelmintic.

Keywords

Anthelmintic (Nematodes)