Methylene Chloride

Volatile, forms toxic concentrates at room temperature. It is slightly soluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents.

Methylene chloride is produced commercially by direct chlorination of methane and methyl chloride. It is stable under normal conditions.

Uses: It is used as a cleaning agent in bottle washing in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used in rubber, metal and textile industries.

Methylene chloride is an important solvent in paint and varnish strippers and degreasing agents. It is used in the production of photographic films, synthetic fibers, drugs, adhesives and inks. It is used in solvent vapor suppression in aerosol applications, as a general cleaning solvent, as a foam blowing agent for flexible polyurethane foams, as a propellant in pesticides, in air fresheners and paints.