4679. Hexachloroethane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 67-72-1
Carbon hexachloride; perchloroethane.
C2Cl6; mol wt 236.74.
C 10.15%, Cl 89.85%.
CCl3CCl3.

Description and references

Prepn: Beilstein 1, 87 (1918) and suppls. Toxicity data: Barsoum, Saad, Q. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 7, 205 (1934). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Hexachloroethane (PB98-101041, 1997) 190 pp.

Properties

Crystals; camphorous odor. d 2.09. Readily sublimes without melting. bp 186.8° (triple point). Heat of sublimation 12.2 kcal/mol. Sol in alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, oils. Insol in water. MLD i.v. in dogs: 325 mg/kg (Barsoum, Saad).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 158. See also Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology vol. 2E, G. D. Clayton, F. E. Clayton, Eds. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 4th ed., 1994) p 4144-4151. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-140.

Use

In metallurgy for refining aluminum alloys, removing impurities from molten metals, recovering metal from ores or smelting products. Degassing agent for magnesium; to inhibit explosiveness of methane and combustion of ammonium perchlorate. Smoke generator in grenades; in pyrotechnics. Ignition suppressant, in fire extinguishing fluids, polymer additive, flame-proofing agent, vulcanizing agent. In prodn of synthetic diamonds.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Anthelmintic (flukicide).