9185. sym-Tetrabromoethane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 79-27-6
1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane; acetylene tetrabromide; Muthmann's liquid.
C2H2Br4; mol wt 345.65.
C 6.95%, H 0.58%, Br 92.47%.
Br2CHCHBr2.

Description and references

Manuf by bromination of acetylene: GB 889649 (1962 to Associated Ethyl Co.). Toxicity studies: Gray, Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Med. 2, 407 (1950); D. L. Wolff, Acta Biol. Med. Ger. 41, 945 (1982).

Properties

Yellowish, heavy, very refractive liquid; odor of camphor and iodoform. d 2.964; bp54 151°; mp 0°; nD20 1.638. Insol in water. Miscible with alc, chloroform, ether, aniline, glacial acetic acid. LD50 i.p. in mice: 443.3 mg/kg (Wolff).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes and nose; anorexia, nausea; severe headaches; abdominal pain; jaundice; monocytosis; CNS depression. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 6.

Use

In microscopy, as solvent, separating minerals by density.