What Is Dichloroethane?
Dichloroethane is a type of halogenated hydrocarbon and exists in two forms: 1,2-dichloroethane and 1,1-dichloroethane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies dichloroethane as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Uses of Dichloroethane
Dichloroethane is primarily used in the synthesis of various chemicals. It serves as a raw material for vinyl chloride monomers (used in vinyl production), ethylenediamine (used in paints, varnishes, adhesives, insecticide paper, etc.), polyamide resin (used in plastics and nylon), and ion exchange resins (mainly for water purification). Due to its strong solubility, it is also utilized as a non-polar, non-protic solvent and has applications as a pesticide and fumigant.
Properties of Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane has a melting point of -98°C and a boiling point of 57°C, with slight solubility in water. 1,1-Dichloroethane, a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor, has a melting point of -35°C and a boiling point of 83.5-84.0°C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. 1,1-Dichloroethane can produce chloroethylene when heated under pressure, and it reacts with hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere, having a half-life of 62 days. Dichloroethane can contaminate groundwater when released into the environment.
Structure of Dichloroethane
Both 1,2-dichloroethane and 1,1-dichloroethane have the chemical formula C2H4Cl2 and a molar mass of 98.96. The density of 1,2-dichloroethane is 1.253 g/cm3, while 1,1-dichloroethane has a density of 1.2 g/cm3.
Other Information on Dichloroethane
1. Synthesis of 1,2-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane can be synthesized from ethylene and chlorine using iron(III) chloride as a catalyst. It can also be produced from the reaction of vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, and oxygen using copper(II) chloride.
2. Reaction of 1,2-Dichloroethane
Approximately 80% of 1,2-dichloroethane production is used to make vinyl chloride monomer. Hydrogen chloride, a by-product of this process, can be reused to synthesize more 1,2-dichloroethane. 1,2-Dichloroethane is also a useful intermediate in synthetic organic chemistry.