Difference between revisions of "Carbon tetrachloride"
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
| − | + | Carbon tetrachloride used to be available in the past, but today it's hard to find, due to being toxic and carcinogenic. Most chemistry institutions have also phased out the use of CCl<sub>4</sub> in favor of other less dangerous solvents. | |
==Preparation== | ==Preparation== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
It can also be prepared by chlorinating [[chloroform]] in the presence of light. | It can also be prepared by chlorinating [[chloroform]] in the presence of light. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Complete halogenation of methane with chlorine under UV light is the | ||
==Projects== | ==Projects== | ||
| Line 26: | Line 28: | ||
===Safety=== | ===Safety=== | ||
Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver). | Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carbon tetrachloride has practically no flammability at lower temperatures, but will oxidize at high temperatures in air to yield poisonous [[phosgene]]. | ||
===Storage=== | ===Storage=== | ||
| − | + | Carbon tet should be stored in closed bottles, away from any heat source as well as oxidizers. | |
===Disposal=== | ===Disposal=== | ||
| + | Carbon tetrachloride is best neutralized with a modified Fenton's reagent solution.<ref>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389402000687</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | A more accessible method involves the use of [[copper(II) acetate]].<ref>http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221866609_Investigation_of_Carbon_Tetrachloride_Destruction_by_Copper_Acetate</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 46: | ||
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=11169 carbon tetrachloride explosive] | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=11169 carbon tetrachloride explosive] | ||
| + | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Inorganic compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Carbon compounds]] | [[Category:Carbon compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Chlorides]] | [[Category:Chlorides]] | ||
[[Category:Perchlorocarbons]] | [[Category:Perchlorocarbons]] | ||
Revision as of 10:12, 5 August 2015
Carbon tetrachloride, also known as tetrachloromethane or carbon tet, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CCl4.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Carbon tetrachloride does not burn in air.
CCl4 will dissolve iodine.
Physical
Carbon tetrachloride is a colourless liquid with a strong ether-like smell. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents, such as benzene, carbon disulfide, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethanol, formic acid and naphtha. It boils at 76.72 °C and freezes at −22.92 °C.
Availability
Carbon tetrachloride used to be available in the past, but today it's hard to find, due to being toxic and carcinogenic. Most chemistry institutions have also phased out the use of CCl4 in favor of other less dangerous solvents.
Preparation
Carbon tetrachloride can be synthesized by chlorinating carbon disulfide at temperatures between 105 to 130 °C:
- CS2 + 3 Cl2 → CCl4 + S2Cl2
It can also be prepared by chlorinating chloroform in the presence of light.
Complete halogenation of methane with chlorine under UV light is the
Projects
- Solvent for chlorinating reactions
- Make Carbon-Tet Explosive (CCl4 + Al powder)
Handling
Safety
Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, and is one of the most potent hepatotoxins (toxic to the liver).
Carbon tetrachloride has practically no flammability at lower temperatures, but will oxidize at high temperatures in air to yield poisonous phosgene.
Storage
Carbon tet should be stored in closed bottles, away from any heat source as well as oxidizers.
Disposal
Carbon tetrachloride is best neutralized with a modified Fenton's reagent solution.[1]
A more accessible method involves the use of copper(II) acetate.[2]
References
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389402000687
- ↑ http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221866609_Investigation_of_Carbon_Tetrachloride_Destruction_by_Copper_Acetate
