Title: Methylene Chloride
CAS Registry Number: 75-09-2
CAS Name: Dichloromethane
Additional Names: methylene dichloride; methylene bichloride
Molecular Formula: CH2Cl2
Molecular Weight: 84.93
Percent Composition: C 14.14%, H 2.37%, Cl 83.49%
Literature References: Prepn by chlorination of methane: Lukes et al., US 2792435 (1957 to Diamond Alkali); Pitt, Bender, US 2979541 (1961 to Stauffer); Burks, Obrecht, US 3126419 (1964 to Stauffer). Review of mfg processes: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 530-538. Toxicity data: E. T. Kimura et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 19, 699 (1971). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride (PB2000-108026, 2000) 313 pp.
Properties: Colorless liquid; vapor is not flammable and when mixed with air is not explosive. Soluble in ~50 parts water; miscible with alc, ether, DMF. bp760 39.75°. mp -95°. d40 1.36174; d415 1.33479; d420 1.3255; d430 1.30777. nD20 1.4244. LD50 orally in young adult rats: 1.6 ml/kg (Kimura).
Melting point: mp -95°
Boiling point: bp760 39.75°
Index of refraction: nD20 1.4244
Density: d40 1.36174; d415 1.33479; d420 1.3255; d430 1.30777
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in young adult rats: 1.6 ml/kg (Kimura)
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are fatigue, weakness, sleepiness, lightheadedness; numbness or tingle of limbs; nausea; irritation of eyes and skin. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 208. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-91.
Use: Solvent in paint removers, for cellulose acetate; degreasing and cleaning fluids; as solvent in food processing. Extraction solvent for spice oleoresins, hops, for removal of caffeine from coffee. Pharmaceutic aid (solvent). Aerosol propellant; insecticide. |