Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene

Names
IUPAC name trichloroethene
Other names 1,1,2-Trichloroethene, 1,1-Dichloro-2-Chloroethylene, 1-Chloro-2,2-Dichloroethylene, Acetylene Trichloride, TCE, Trethylene, Triclene, Tri, Trimar, Trilene, HCC-1120
Identifiers
CAS Number	79-01-6 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image Interactive image Interactive image
Abbreviations	TCE
ChEBI	CHEBI:16602 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL279816 Y
ChemSpider	13837280 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.062
EC Number	201-61-04
KEGG	C06790 Y
PubChem	6575
RTECS number	KX4550000
UNII	290YE8AR51 Y
InChI InChI=1S/C2HCl3/c3-1-2(4)5/h1H Y Key: XSTXAVWGXDQKEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C2HCl3/c3-1-2(4)5/h1H
SMILES Cl\C=C(/Cl)Cl Cl\C=C(/Cl)Cl ClC=C(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	C2HCl3
Molar mass	131.4 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	chloroform-like
Density	1.46 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point	−84.8 °C (−120.6 °F; 188.3 K)
Boiling point	87.2 °C (189.0 °F; 360.3 K)
Solubility in water	1.280 g/L
Solubility	ether, ethanol, chloroform
Vapor pressure	58 mmHg/0.076 atm (20°C)
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-65.8·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.4777 at 19.8 °C
Pharmacology
ATC code	N01AB05 (WHO)
Hazards
Main hazards	Harmful if swallowed or inhaled, carcinogenic
Safety data sheet	See: data page Mallinckrodt Baker
NFPA 704	1 2 0
Autoignition temperature	420 °C (788 °F; 693 K)
Explosive limits	8%-10.5%
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LC50 (median concentration)	8450 ppm (mouse, 4 hr) 26300 (rat, 1 hr)
LCLo (lowest published)	2900 ppm (human) 37,200 ppm (guinea pig, 40 min) 5952 ppm (cat, 2 hr) 8000 ppm (rat, 4 hr) 11,000 (rabbit)
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 100 ppm C 200 ppm 300 ppm (5-minute maximum peak in any 2 hours)
REL (Recommended)	Ca
IDLH (Immediate danger)	Ca [1000 ppm]
Related compounds
Related vinyl halide	vinyl chloride
Related compounds	chloroform 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	Refractive index (n), Dielectric constant (εr), etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour solid–liquid–gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

The chemical compound trichloroethylene is a halocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell. It should not be confused with the similar 1,1,1-trichloroethane, which is commonly known as chlorothene.

The IUPAC name is trichloroethene. Industrial abbreviations include TCE, trichlor, Trike, Tricky and tri. It has been sold under a variety of trade names. Under the trade names Trimar and Trilene, trichloroethylene was used as a volatile anesthetic and as an inhaled obstetrical analgesic in millions of patients.

Pioneered by Imperial Chemical Industries in Britain, its development was hailed as an anesthetic revolution. Originally thought to possess less hepatotoxicity than chloroform, and without the unpleasant pungency and flammability of ether, TCE use was nonetheless soon found to have several pitfalls. These included promotion of cardiac arrhythmias, low volatility and high solubility preventing quick anesthetic induction, reactions with soda lime used in carbon dioxide absorbing systems, prolonged neurologic dysfunction when used with soda lime, and evidence of hepatotoxicity as had been found with chloroform.

The introduction of halothane in 1956 greatly diminished the use of TCE as a general anesthetic. TCE was still used as an inhalation analgesic in childbirth given by self-administration. Fetal toxicity and concerns for carcinogenic potential of TCE led to its abandonment in developed countries by the 1980s.

Due to concerns about its toxicity, the use of trichloroethylene in the food and pharmaceutical industries has been banned in much of the world since the 1970s. Legislation has forced the substitution of trichloroethylene in many processes in Europe as the chemical was classified as a carcinogen carrying an R45 risk phrase, May cause cancer. Many degreasing chemical alternatives are being promoted such as Ensolv and Leksol; however, each of these is based on n-propyl bromide which carries an R60 risk phrase of May impair fertility, and they would not be a legally acceptable substitute.