Perchlor Ethylene

Perchlorethylene is a non-flammable but volatile solvent. Even 1 ppm in the air has a strong odor that can be noticed by humans.

Perchlorethylene is produced from dichloroethane. Since trichloroethylene is another by-product released during this reaction, these two chemicals are then separated from each other by distillation technique. Like all other chlorinated solvents, perchlorethylene has a depressant effect on the nervous system. Contact with its vapor, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, loss of consciousness. Continuous contact with human skin can cause serious skin problems as perchlorethylene will dissolve the oil in the skin completely. Its solubility in water is limited, but it is completely miscible with solvents such as ethanol, acetone, chloroform.

Areas of use: Perchlorethylene is used as a solvent in many applications. Many organic substances are soluble in perchlorethylene. It is the most commonly used solvent in dry cleaning. It is also used in automotive and other metal-related industries to remove oils on metal. It is included as an ingredient in consumer products such as grout and stain remover. Another usage area is the production of refrigerants such as HCFC.