What is Tetrachloroethylene Definition Formula Preparation Reactions and Uses
What is Tetrachloroethylene?
Tetrachloroethylene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C2Cl4. It is also known as perchloroethylene. It is widely used as an agent for dry cleaning that’s why it is also known as ‘dry cleaning fluid’. In 1985, its worldwide production was 1million metric tons. It belongs to the halogen alkene family as it has carbon – carbon double bond and halogen atoms. Its IUPAC name is tetrachloroethene. In abbreviated form it can be written as PERC or PCE. It is a synthetic compound which was first synthesized an English Scientist Michael Faraday in 1821. He synthesized it by using hexachloroethane (C2Cl6).
Tetrachloroethylene is a chlorocarbon with the formula Cl2C=CCl2.
Chemical Formula of Tetrachloroethylene
Structure of Tetrachloroethylene
Each molecule of tetrachloroethylene is composed of two carbon atoms which are bonded by double covalent bonds and four chlorine atoms which are bonded with carbon atoms by single covalent bond as shown below in its structure –
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Properties of Tetrachloroethylene
Physical and Chemical Properties – Tetrachloroethylene shows following physical and chemical properties –
It is a colorless liquid organic halogen compound.
It has a sweet odor. People can detect its presence even at its 1ppm concentration.
Its molar mass is 165.8 g/mol.
It has clear colorless experience.
Its density is 1.622 g.cm-3.
Its melting point is -19 °C at 254 K.
Its boiling point is 121.1 °C at 394.2 K.
It is slightly soluble in water. 15mg of tetrachloroethene gets dissolved in 1 liter of water at 25 °C temperature.
It is denser than water.
It non flammable.
It is a covalent compound.
It works as a good solvent for organic compounds.
It is volatile and highly stable.
Reaction with water – It reacts with water and forms dichloromethane and oxygen. Reaction is given below –
C2Cl4 + 2H2O 🡪 2CH2Cl2 + O2
Tetrachloroethene Dichloromethane Oxygen
Reaction with alkali – It reacts with alkalis such as sodium hydroxide and forms formic acid and sodium chloride. Reaction is given below –
4NaOH + C2Cl4 🡪 2HCO2H + 4NaCl
Sodium hydroxide Formic acid Sodium chloride
Production of Tetrachloroethene
As discussed initially, it was 1st synthesized by thermal decomposition of hexachloroethane by English scientist Michael Faraday. Reaction is given below –
C2Cl6 🡪 C2Cl4 + Cl2
Hexachloroethane Tetrachloroethene Chlorine
Most of the tetrachloroethane is synthesized by chlorination of simple hydrocarbons at high temperature. In these reactions carbon tetrachloride, hydrogen chloride and hexachlorobutadiene etc. are obtained as byproducts.
Another method includes heating of 1,2-dichloroethane up to 400 °C with chlorine. It gives a high yield of tetrachloroethene compared to other methods. It is separated by distillation method. Hydrochloric acid is obtained as a byproduct. Chemical reaction is given below –
ClCH2CH2Cl + 3Cl2 → Cl2C=CCl2 + 4HCl
1,2-dichloroethane Tetrachloroethene
In the above reaction a mixture of potassium chloride and aluminium chloride or activated carbon can be used as catalysts for higher rate of reaction.
Uses of Tetrachloroethylene
Historically, it was used as an intermediate in the production of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane and in the treatment of hookworm infestation. Presently, it is used for various purposes in many fields. Its few applications are listed below –
It is widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics. That’s why it is also known as dry cleaning fluid.
It is used as solvent for many organic materials in various reactions.
It is used to remove grease from metals parts of automotive and other metal industries.
It is used as a cleaning agent with other chlorocarbons as well.
It is used as one of the ingredients in paint strippers and spot removers.
It is used in aerosol preparations as well.
An apparatus used in physics to study neutrinos is called a neutrino detector in which tetrachloroethylene is used.
Its small quantities are used as a vermifuge.
Tetrachloroethylene Effects on Health and Environment
When it was 1st synthesized in 1821, after that its production increased till mid 90s but in late 90s its production started to decrease due to its toxic nature and environmental hazards. This is the reason, in 1976 its production was 320,000 metric tons in the US while by 1993 it dropped to 123,000 metric tons according to the report of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Although reports of human injury are very rare while it is widely being used in the dry cleaning industry.
It can be carcinogenic to human beings. It has been classified as Group 2A carcinogen by the international agency for research on cancer.
It can enter into our body by not only inhalation but dermal exposure as well. It acts as a central nervous system depressant. It dissolves the fats of our skin and causes skin irritation.
In 2007, California’s Air Resources Board banned tetrachloroethylene usage in the dry cleaning industry due to its toxicity and carcinogenic nature. Its exposure increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease 9 times.
It causes diseases in animals as well. Studies show that it may cause liver tumors in mice and kidney tumors in male rats. At high temperatures above 315 °C , it oxidized into phosgene which is a highly poisonous gas.
Its chronic exposure has been found linked with acquired color vision deficiencies.
It is a common soil contaminant which comes into the soil through ground water and untreated water from the dry cleaning industry. It is very difficult to remove it from water and soil. It requires chemical treatment.
Its larger amount is released into air than soil and water. It is degraded by hydrolysis and produces phosgene, hydrogen chloride, carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide etc.
This ends our coverage on the topic “Tetrachloroethylene”. We hope you enjoyed learning and were able to grasp the concepts. We hope after reading this article you will be able to solve problems based on the topic. If you are looking for solutions of NCERT Textbook problems based on this topic, then log on to Vedantu website or download Vedantu Learning App. By doing so, you will be able to access free PDFs of NCERT Solutions as well as Revision notes, Mock Tests and much more.
FAQs on Tetrachloroethylene Structure Properties and Applications
1. What is tetrachloroethylene?
Tetrachloroethylene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent with the chemical formula C2Cl4 commonly used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. It is also known as perchloroethylene or PCE. Structurally, it is an alkene (derived from ethene) in which all four hydrogen atoms are replaced by chlorine atoms, giving it high density, low flammability, and strong solvent properties. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor and low water solubility.
2. What is the chemical formula and structure of tetrachloroethylene?
The chemical formula of tetrachloroethylene is C2Cl4, and it contains a carbon–carbon double bond. Its structure can be written as Cl2C=CCl2, where:
- Two carbon atoms are connected by a C=C double bond.
- Each carbon atom is bonded to two chlorine atoms.
- The molecule is planar due to sp2 hybridization of each carbon.
Because all hydrogen atoms are replaced by chlorine, it is a fully chlorinated derivative of ethene.
3. Is tetrachloroethylene polar or nonpolar?
Tetrachloroethylene is a nonpolar molecule despite containing polar C–Cl bonds. Although each C–Cl bond is polar due to electronegativity differences, the molecule is symmetrical (Cl2C=CCl2), so the bond dipoles cancel out. As a result, it has no net dipole moment, which explains its low solubility in water and good solubility for nonpolar organic compounds.
4. How is tetrachloroethylene prepared industrially?
Tetrachloroethylene is industrially prepared by high-temperature chlorination of hydrocarbons such as ethylene or by oxychlorination processes. A simplified reaction pathway involves chlorination of ethylene followed by dehydrochlorination:
- C2H4 + 3Cl2 → C2HCl3 + 3HCl
- Further chlorination and elimination steps produce C2Cl4.
These reactions occur at elevated temperatures and are designed to maximize yield of perchloroethylene while minimizing byproducts.
5. What are the main uses of tetrachloroethylene?
The main uses of tetrachloroethylene are as a dry-cleaning solvent and as a metal degreasing agent. Key applications include:
- Cleaning delicate fabrics in dry-cleaning operations.
- Removing grease and oils from metal parts.
- Intermediate in the production of fluorocarbons and other chemicals.
Its chemical stability, nonflammability, and strong dissolving power make it suitable for industrial solvent applications.
6. Is tetrachloroethylene harmful to health?
Tetrachloroethylene can be harmful to health and is classified as a probable human carcinogen with effects on the nervous system and liver. Short-term exposure may cause:
- Dizziness and headaches.
- Irritation of eyes and respiratory tract.
- Central nervous system depression at high concentrations.
Long-term exposure has been associated with liver and kidney damage, so strict occupational safety limits are applied in laboratories and industry.
7. Why is tetrachloroethylene used in dry cleaning?
Tetrachloroethylene is used in dry cleaning because it is a powerful nonflammable solvent that dissolves oils and grease without damaging most fabrics. Its advantages include:
- High solvency for nonpolar stains such as oils and fats.
- Low flammability compared to hydrocarbon solvents.
- Chemical stability under operating conditions.
These properties make perchloroethylene (PCE) effective for cleaning delicate textiles that cannot be washed with water.
8. What type of organic compound is tetrachloroethylene?
Tetrachloroethylene is a halogenated alkene, specifically a fully chlorinated derivative of ethene. It belongs to the class of:
- Chlorinated hydrocarbons.
- Alkenes (because of the C=C double bond).
- Organochlorine compounds.
Its systematic IUPAC name is tetrachloroethene, indicating four chlorine substituents on an ethene backbone.
9. What happens when tetrachloroethylene undergoes combustion?
When tetrachloroethylene undergoes complete combustion, it forms carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride in the presence of oxygen. A simplified balanced equation (assuming trace hydrogen impurities) can be represented as:
- C2Cl4(l) + 2O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 2Cl2(g)
Under real conditions, incomplete combustion may also produce toxic gases such as phosgene (COCl2), making burning chlorinated solvents hazardous.
10. What is the difference between tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene?
The main difference between tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene is the number of chlorine atoms and presence of hydrogen. Key distinctions are:
- Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4): contains four chlorine atoms and no hydrogen atoms.
- Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3): contains three chlorine atoms and one hydrogen atom.
- Tetrachloroethylene is fully chlorinated and nonpolar, while trichloroethylene has slight polarity due to the C–H bond.
Both are chlorinated solvents used in degreasing, but they differ in chemical structure, physical properties, and toxicological profiles.
