Hexachloroethane CAS#67-72-1
Hexachloroethane, also known as perchloroethane or carbon hexachloride, carries the chemical formula Cl₃CCCl₃. Recrystallized from ethanol or diethyl ether, it takes the shape of white, needle‑like orthorhombic crystals. The substance emits a camphor‑like scent and is well known for its sublimation property. It has a relative molecular weight of 236.76 and a relative density of 2.091. Its melting point is 185.0°C, while its boiling point (triple point) reads 186.8°C. At this temperature, it sublimes directly from solid to vapor, skipping the liquid phase entirely.
Hexachloroethane is barely soluble in water, yet it dissolves readily in organic solvents including ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform and different types of oils. When mixed with metallic zinc in alcoholic solutions, it reacts vigorously to form zinc chloride and tetrachloroethylene. It is also reactive toward many other metal powders.
Hexachloroethane Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 183-185 °C (dec.) (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 186℃ |
| density | 2.091 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| vapor density | 8.16 (vs air) |
| vapor pressure | 0.4 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| refractive index | 1.5282 (estimate) |
| Fp | 9℃ |
| storage temp. | 2-8°C |
| solubility | Soluble in alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether |
| form | Crystals or Crystalline Powder |
| color | White |
| Water Solubility | 0.05 g/L (22 ºC) |
| Merck | 144679 |
| BRN | 1740341 |
| Henry's Law Constant | 1.43, 2.81, and 5.31 at 10, 20, and 30 °C, respectively (Munz and Roberts, 1987) |
| Exposure limits | TLV-TWA 10 ppm (～100 mg/m3) (ACGIH), 1 ppm (MSHA and OSHA), Lowest Feasi ble Limit (NIOSH); carcinogenicity: Animal Limited Evidence (IARC). |
| Stability: | Stable. Non-combustible. May react with hot metals, strong oxidizing agents. |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 67-72-1(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| IARC | 2B (Vol. 73) 1999 |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Ethane, hexachloro-(67-72-1) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Hexachloroethane (67-72-1) |
| Hazard Codes | Xn,N,T,F |
| Risk Statements | 40-51/53-36/37/38-39/23/24/25-36/38-23/24/25-11-50/53-52/53 |
| Safety Statements | 36/37-61-45-36/37/39-26-24-16-7-37/39 |
| RIDADR | UN 9037 |
| OEB | B |
| OEL | TWA: 1 ppm (10 mg/m3) [skin] (Chloroethanes) |
| WGK Germany | 3 |
| RTECS | KI4025000 |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HazardClass | 9 |
| PackingGroup | III |
| HS Code | 29031990 |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 67-72-1(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | MLD i.v. in dogs: 325 mg/kg (Barsoum, Saad) |
| IDLA | 300 ppm |
Product Application of Hexachloroethane CAS#67-72-1
Hexachloroethane functions as a solvent, raw material and synthetic intermediate. It participates in the manufacturing of Freon‑113, pesticides, human pharmaceuticals and veterinary preparations. Further applications include smoke‑generating compositions, defoaming agents, degassing agents for aluminum articles, and deoxidizers for aluminum, magnesium, copper and their alloys. It also acts as an additive for cutting‑oil formulations and a co‑plasticizer for PVC, alongside other organic‑synthesis intermediates.
When properly compounded with zinc powder, ammonium chloride, ammonium perchlorate and other ingredients, hexachloroethane can be formulated into smoke‑generating agents. Additionally, it serves as a camphor substitute and a vulcanization accelerator for rubber.
Historically, hexachloroethane was deployed as a veterinary anthelmintic. Its main therapeutic uses covered liver‑fluke and stomach‑fluke infections in ruminants, as well as certain other trematode and nematode infestations.
