Nomenclature
CAS number: 75-09-2
Dichloromethane; methylene dichloride; methylene bichloride.
CH
2Cl
2; mol wt 84.93.
C 14.14%, H 2.37%, Cl 83.49%.
Description and references
Prepn by chlorination of methane: Lukes et al., US 2792435 (1957 to Diamond Alkali); Pitt, Bender, US 2979541 (1961 to Stauffer); Burks, Obrecht, US 3126419 (1964 to Stauffer). Review of mfg processes:
Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York,
4th ed., 1975) pp 530-538. Toxicity data: E. T. Kimura et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 19, 699 (1971). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride (PB2000-108026, 2000) 313 pp.
Properties
Colorless liquid; vapor is not flammable and when
mixed with air is not explosive. Soluble in ≈50 parts water; miscible
with alc, ether, DMF. bp760 39.75°. mp 95°. d40 1.36174; d415 1.33479; d420 1.3255; d430 1.30777. nD20 1.4244. LD50 orally in young adult rats: 1.6 ml/kg (Kimura).Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are fatigue, weakness, sleepiness, lightheadedness; numbness or tingle
of limbs; nausea; irritation of eyes and skin. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH
97-140, 1997) p 208. This substance is reasonably anticipated to
be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens,
Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-91.Use
Solvent in paint removers, for cellulose acetate;
degreasing and cleaning fluids; as solvent in food processing. Extraction
solvent for spice oleoresins, hops, for removal of caffeine from coffee.
Pharmaceutic aid (solvent). Aerosol propellant; insecticide.