Dichloroacetic acid

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Dichloroacetic acid
Names
IUPAC name
Dichloroethanoic acid
Other names
Bichloracetic acid
Bichloroacetic acid
BCA
Dichloracetic acid
Properties
C2H2Cl2O2
CHCl2COOH
Molar mass 128.94 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Acetic
Density 1.5634 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point 13.5 °C (56.3 °F; 286.6 K)
Boiling point 194 °C (381 °F; 467 K)
Miscible
Solubility Miscible with acetone, alcohols, diethyl ether
Slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride
Vapor pressure 0.142 mmHg at 20 °C
Acidity (pKa) 1.35
Thermochemistry
−496.3 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2,820 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Acetic acid
Chloroacetic acid
Trichloroacetic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Dichloroacetic acid or DCA, is the chemical compound with formula CHCl2COOH.

Properties

Chemical

As an acid with a pKa of 1.35, pure dichloroacetic acid is quite strong for an organic acid.

Physical

Dichloroacetic acid is a colorless liquid, miscible with water. It has a pungent acetic odor.

Availability

Dichloroacetic acid is sold by lab suppliers.

DCA has been shown to occur in nature in at least one seaweed, Asparagopsis taxiformis.

Preparation

DCA is typically prepared by the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Zinc powder can be used as reducing agent.[1]

Chlorination of glacial acetic acid in the presence of UV light will yield mono-, di- and tri-chloroacetic acids. Separating the components via fractional distillation is difficult but doable with the right equipment.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Dichloroacetic acid is very corrosive and extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract via inhalation.

Storage

Dichloroacetic acid should be kept in closed bottles. Since it has a relative high freezing point, it can be stored in a fridge or freezer, where it's less volatile in its solid phase.

Disposal

Should be strongly diluted before poured down the drain.

Complete reduction with a suitable reducing agent will yield acetic acid, which is non-toxic.

References

  1. https://www.bitchute.com/video/B7e319TM6EWZ/
  2. http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/pim352.htm#SectionTitle:10.5

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