1,2-Dichloroethane is a clear, thick man-made liquid that is not found naturally in the environment. It has a pleasant odour and sweet taste. It is used primarily to make vinyl chloride and a number of other solvents that remove grease, glue, and dirt, including trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, vinylidene chloride, and ethyleneamines. It is also found in commercial solvents used by industry to clean cloth, remove grease from metal, and break down oils, fats, waxes, resins, and rubber. In the household, 1,2-dichloroethane can be found in some cleaning agents and pesticides; in some adhesives, such as those used to glue wallpaper or carpeting; and in some paint, varnish, and finish removers. It is also added to leaded petrol to prevent engine knock. 1,2-Dichloroethane is used as an insect fumigant for stored grains and in mushroom houses, as a soil fumigant in peach and apple orchards, and as an extractant in certain food processes.
1,2-Dichloroethane is volatile at room temperature; it is flammable and burns with a smoky flame. Small amounts of 1,2-dichlorethane released in water or onto soil can vaporize into the air. It does not remain in the air for very long but can remain in water for possibly more than 40 days. 1,2-Dichloroethane is miscible with alcohol, chloroform, ether, and chlorinated solvents, and soluble in common organic solvents. It is sparingly soluble in water. When heated to decomposition, it produces toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid. Other names for 1,2-dichloroethane are 1,2-ethylene dichloride; aethylenchlorid; alpha, beta-dichloroethane; borer sol; di-chlor-mul-son; dichloro-1,2-ethane; dichloroethylene; Dutch liquid or oil; ethane dichloride; ethane 1,2-dichloride; ethyleen dichloride; ethylene chloride; ethylene dichloride; freon 150; glycol dichloride; and sym-dichlorothane. Research Dichloroethane
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Research Dichloroethane