Chloromethane
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Chloromethane
| |
| Other names
HCC 40
Methyl chloride Monochloromethane R-40 Refrigerant-40 | |
| Properties | |
| CH3Cl | |
| Molar mass | 50.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless gas |
| Odor | Sweet |
| Density | 1.003 g/mL (-23.8 °C, liquid) 2.3065 g/L (0 °C, gas) |
| Melting point | −97.4 °C (−143.3 °F; 175.8 K) |
| Boiling point | −23.8 °C (−10.8 °F; 249.3 K) |
| 0.5325 g/100 ml | |
| Solubility | Soluble in glacial acetic acid, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethanol |
| Vapor pressure | 506.09 kPa (at 20 °C) |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar
entropy (S |
234.36 J·K−1·mol−1 |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
−83.68 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | −20 °C (−4 °F; 253 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
1800 mg/kg (oral, rat) 5.3 mg/L/4 h (inhalation, rat) |
| LC50 (Median concentration)
|
72,000 ppm (rat, 30 min) 2200 ppm (mouse, 6 hr) 2760 ppm (mammal, 4 hr) 2524 ppm (rat, 4 hr) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Dichloromethane Chloroform Carbon tetrachloride |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Chloromethane more commonly called methyl chloride is a chemical compound with the formula CH3Cl.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Chloromethane will burn if ignited in air.
Reaction with magnesium turnings will yield the useful Grignard reagent methylmagnesium chloride (CH3MgCl).
Physical
Chloromethane is a colorless flammable gas with a mildly sweet odor, heavier than air. It is insoluble in water, but much more soluble in organic solvents.
Availability
Chloromethane is sold by various gas companies and chemical suppliers, though it's not easy to acquire.
Preparation
Chloromethane can be made by bubbling hydrogen chloride gas through boiling methanol with or without a zinc chloride catalyst, or by passing combined methanol and hydrogen chloride vapors over an alumina catalyst at 350 °C.
- CH3OH + HCl → CH3Cl + H2O
Chloromethane is a side product from the chlorination of methane with chlorine under UV light.
Projects
- Methylating agent
- Make methylmagnesium chloride
- Make toluene
Handling
Safety
Inhalation of chloromethane gas produces central nervous system effects similar to drug intoxication. Exposure may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion and difficulty breathing, walking or speaking may occur. At higher concentrations, paralysis, seizures, and coma can result.
Storage
Methyl chloride is kept as compressed gas in a gas cylinder.
Disposal
Methyl chloride can be released outside in the atmosphere.
