Title: Methyl Chloride
CAS Registry Number: 74-87-3
CAS Name: Chloromethane
Additional Names: Freon 40
Molecular Formula: CH3Cl
Molecular Weight: 50.49
Percent Composition: C 23.79%, H 5.99%, Cl 70.22%
Literature References: Known as early as 1835, large scale production started in 1920's. 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. GC-MS determn in air: D. R. Cronn, D. E. Harsch, Anal. Lett. 9, 1015 (1976). X-ray emission study: D. W. Lindle et al., Phys. Rev. A 43, 2353 (1991). Review: M. T. Holbrook in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 5 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1993) pp 1028-1040. Review of toxicology: J. D. Repko, S. M. Lasley, Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 6, 283-302 (1979); and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Chloromethane (PB99-121964, 1998) 288 pp.
Properties: Colorless gas of mild odor and sweet taste. Extremely flammable. mp -97.7°; bp -23.7°; nD (liq at -23.7°) 1.3712. Slightly sol in water; misc with chloroform, ether, glacial acetic acid; sol in alcohol. Soly at 20° (ml/100 ml): benzene 4723; carbon tetrachloride 3756; glacial acetic acid 3679; ethanol 3740; at 25° (g/100g): water 0.48.
Melting point: mp -97.7°
Boiling point: bp -23.7°
Index of refraction: nD (liq at -23.7°) 1.3712
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are dizziness, nausea and vomiting; visual disturbance; staggering; slurred speech; convulsions, coma; liver and kidney damage; reproductive and teratogenic effects; direct contact with liquid may cause frostbite. Potential occupational carcinogen. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 202. See also Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology vol. 2B, G. D. Clayton, F. E. Clayton, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1981) pp 3436-3442.
Use: Manuf of silicones, tetramethyleads. Solvent catalyst for butyl rubber. Has been used as a refrigerant. |