Chlorinated Solvents: Types, nomenclature and uses

Chlorinated solvents are usually composed of one or two carbon atoms with one chlorine atom covalently bonded. The chlorinated solvents are commonly used for  dry cleaning operations, fluorocarbon manufacture, waxes, solvents for fats, resins, fire extinguishers, oils, organic synthesis, polymer manufacture, chemical intermediate, extraction of caffeine, vapour degreasing, parts cleaning, engine cleaning, degreasing agent, cleaning printed circuit boards, heat exchange medium, adhesive solvent, aerosol propellant, foam plastic blowing agents, paint removers etc.

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Chlorinated solvents are further divided into three categories based on the structural characteristics:

  • Chlorinated Methanes
  • Chlorinated Ethanes and
  • Chlorinated Ethenes

Nomenclature of few common chlorinated solvents:

IUPAC Name Common Name
Chlorinated Methane
tetrachloromethane carbontetrachloride
trichloromethane chloroform
dichloromethane Methylene chloride
chloromethane Methyl chloride
Chlorinated Ethane
hexachloroethane perchloroethane
1,1,1-trichloroethane Methyl chloroform
Chlorinated Ethene
tetrachloroethene perchloroethene
cis-1,2-dichloroethene cis-dichloroethene
trans-1,2-dichloroethene trans-dichloroethene
1,1-dichloroethene Vinylidene chloride
chloroethene Vinyl chloride

The use of these solvents in commercial and industrial purposes is the main reason why these solvents are prepared in large scale by chemical industry. There are many chemical manufacturers and suppliers which produce this in large scale. Purechem, India’s largest suppliers of chemicals have a stored supply of the chlorinated solvents like Ethylene dichloride (EDC), Methylene dichloride (MDC), Trichloroethylene, Perchloroethylene and Epichlorohydrin. These include in the most commonly used solvents.

Even though these have lot of chemical property in use chlorinated solvents are volatile and comparatively soluble. It has many side effects and causes serious health issues when exposed to continuous inhalation.

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