Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene , also known as trichloroethene is an organic compound, a haloalkene with the chemical formula ClCHCCl₂.

Properties

Chemical

Trichloroethylene is unstable in the presence of a metal over prolonged exposure.

Physical

Trichloroethylene is a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell. It melts at −73 °C and boils at 87.2 °C.

Availability

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Preparation

Trichloroethylene can be synthesized by chlorinating ethylene over a ferric chloride catalyst to produce 1,2-dichloroethane, which is heated to 400 °C with additional chlorine, to yield trichloroethylene.

CH₂=CH₂ + Cl₂ → ClCH₂CH₂Cl

ClCH₂CH₂Cl + 2 Cl₂ → ClCH=CCl₂ + 3 HCl

Projects

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