3797. Ethylene Dichloride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 107-06-2
1,2-Dichloroethane; sym-dichloroethane; ethylene chloride; EDC; Dutch liquid; Brocide.
C2H4Cl2; mol wt 98.96.
C 24.27%, H 4.07%, Cl 71.65%.
ClCH2CH2Cl.

Description and references

Made from ethylene and chlorine; also from acetylene and HCl: Beilstein I, 84 (1918). Manuf: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 392-396. Toxicity data: Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969). Review of carcinogenic risk: IARC Monographs 20, 429-444 (1979); of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for 1,2-Dichloroethane (PB2001-109103, 2001) 297 pp.

Properties

Heavy liq; burns with smoky flame; pleasant odor; sweet taste. d420 1.2569. bp 83-84°. mp ≈-40°. Flash pt, closed cup: 56°F (13°C); open cup: 65°F (18°C). nD20 1.4443. Flammable, poisonous. Sol in about 120 parts water; misc with alcohol, chloroform, ether. LD50 orally in rats: 770 mg/kg (Smyth).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are CNS depression; nausea, vomiting; dermatitis; irritation of eyes, corneal opacity; liver, kidney, cardiovascular system damage. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 136. See also Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section II, pp 163-164. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-90.

Use

Manuf of vinyl chloride, acetyl cellulose; solvent for fats, oils, waxes, gums, resins, and particularly for rubber. Has been used as insect and soil fumigant. Organic solvent.