Skip to main content

Carbon Tetrachloride

ADVERTISEMENT
Identification
Molecular formula
CCl4
CAS number
56-23-5
IUPAC name
carbon tetrachloride
State
State

At room temperature, carbon tetrachloride is a liquid. It is non-flammable under normal conditions.

Melting point (Celsius)
-22.92
Melting point (Kelvin)
250.23
Boiling point (Celsius)
76.72
Boiling point (Kelvin)
349.87
General information
Molecular weight
153.82g/mol
Molar mass
153.8230g/mol
Density
1.5867g/cm3
Appearence

Carbon tetrachloride is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, characteristic odor. It is a volatile compound and can evaporate quickly at room temperature.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a non-polar solvent, exhibits unique solubility characteristics that are important in various chemical processes. Its solubility profile can be summarized as follows:

  • Non-polar Solvent: Carbon tetrachloride is largely insoluble in water due to its non-polar nature, which prevents effective interaction with polar solvents like water.
  • Solubility in Organic Compounds: It is highly soluble in many organic solvents such as alcohols, ethers, and hydrocarbons. This makes it an excellent solvent for organic compounds.
  • Hydrophobic Properties: Due to its hydrophobic properties, CCl4 is often used in extraction processes, where it aids in dissolving and extracting non-polar compounds.

As a result, when dealing with carbon tetrachloride, remember that:

  1. It does not mix well with water.
  2. It serves as a versatile solvent in organic chemistry.

This solubility behavior underlines the importance of understanding the polarity and chemical nature of substances when predicting their interactions in various chemical applications.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts About Carbon Tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride, also known as tetrachloromethane, is a fascinating chemical compound with a rich history and diverse applications. Here are some intriguing aspects to consider:

  • Historical Significance: First synthesized in the 1830s, carbon tetrachloride was extensively used as a solvent and a cleaning agent, particularly in dry cleaning.
  • Industrial Applications: This compound is also known for its use in the production of refrigerants and as a precursor for various fluorinated compounds.
  • Environmental Concerns: While it has beneficial applications, carbon tetrachloride is also recognized for its environmental impact, particularly as an ozone-depleting substance. It was once commonly found in aerosols and fire extinguishers.
  • Health Risks: Exposure to carbon tetrachloride can pose serious health risks, including liver and kidney damage, leading to its gradual phasing out in many industries. It is crucial for laboratories and workplaces to adhere to strict safety protocols when handling this substance.
  • Modern Uses: Today, carbon tetrachloride is used primarily in the laboratory for organic synthesis and in chemical analysis, reflecting the shift towards more regulated and safe environments.

As a compound, carbon tetrachloride exemplifies the delicate balance between utility and safety in the field of chemistry. Its multifaceted nature provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by scientists in ensuring both effective industrial processes and environmental stewardship.

Synonyms
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
Tetrachloromethane
56-23-5
Perchloromethane
Tetrasol
Benzinoform
Necatorine
Tetrafinol
Vermoestricid
Carbona
Univerm
Carbon tet
Methane, tetrachloro-
Methane tetrachloride
Flukoids
Necatorina
Tetraform
Carbon chloride
Tetrachlormethan
Tetrachloormetaan
Tetrachlorocarbon
Freon 10
Tetraclorometano
CCl4
Tetrachloorkoolstof
Czterochlorek wegla
Halon 1040
Carbon chloride (CCl4)
Chlorid uhlicity
carbontetrachloride
R 10 (Refrigerant)
Tetrachlorure de carbone
Tetracloruro di carbonio
RCRA waste number U211
Tetra
Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, tetra
Caswell No. 164
HSDB 53
ENT 4,705
Refrigerant R10
tetrachloro-methane
CC m0
R 10
Kohlenstofftetrachlorid
CCRIS 123
ENT 27164
NSC 97063
Halon 104
Thawpit
perchorormethane
tetrachorocarbon
CHEBI:27385
tetrachloridocarbon
EINECS 200-262-8
UNII-CL2T97X0V0
Tetrachlorkohlenstoff
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 016501
CL2T97X0V0
DTXSID8020250
AI3-04705
CARBONEUM CHLORATUM
MFCD00000785
NSC-97063
DTXCID20250
EC 200-262-8
NSC97063
NCGC00091016-02
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE (IARC)
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [IARC]
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE (MART.)
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [MART.]
Chlorid uhlicity [Czech]
Tetrachlormethan [German]
Tetraclorometano [Italian]
Tetrachloorkoolstof [Dutch]
CAS-56-23-5
Carbon tetrachloride, analytical standard
Czterochlorek wegla [Polish]
Tetrachloride, Carbon
Carbon tetrachloride [BSI:ISO]
Tetrachlorure de carbone [French]
Tetracloruro di carbonio [Italian]
UN1846
Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, tetra [German]
RCRA waste no. U211
Tetrachlorure de carbone [ISO-French]
Benzenoform
Katharin
Seretin
tetrachlormethane
Carbon chloride?
carbon tetracloride
tetra-chloromethane
tetrachloro methane
carbon tetrachioride
carbon-tetrachloride
F10
carbon tetra-chloride
Cl4C
carbon tetra- chloride
Tetrachloromethane, 9CI
WLN: GXGGG
Carbon tetrachloride [NF]
Carbon tetrachloride, 99%
CHEMBL44814
SCHEMBL2466909
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [MI]
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [ISO]
CARBONEUM CHLORATUM [HPUS]
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [HSDB]
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE (13C)
Tox21_111057
Tox21_200039
BDBM50237610
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [USP-RS]
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE [WHO-DD]
AKOS015903411
UN 1846
MSK001506-1000E
NCGC00091016-01
NCGC00091016-03
NCGC00091016-04
NCGC00257593-01
DA-71926
Carbon tetrachloride (1mg/ml in methanol)
Carbon tetrachloride [UN1846] [Poison]
Carbon tetrachloride, anhydrous, >=99.5%
Carbon tetrachloride, for HPLC, >=99.9%
Carbon tetrachloride, reagent grade, 99.9%
NS00005620
Tetrachloromethane 100 microg/mL in Methanol
C07561
Carbon tetrachloride 100 microg/mL in Methanol
Carbon tetrachloride 5000 microg/mL in Methanol
L023972
Q225045
BRD-K24169676-001-01-1
F0001-1467
Carbon tetrachloride Solution in Ethyl acetate, 1000ug/mL
200-262-8