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Applied Chemistry and Physics
Published in Robert A. Burke, Applied Chemistry and Physics, 2020
Alkyl halide compounds can be found as liquids or gases. As a family the alkyl halides are toxic to varying degrees and some are flammable. Alkyl halides are composed of one of the hydrocarbon radicals with varying numbers and combinations of the halogen family of elements attached: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and iodine (I). The toxicity of the compound is derived from the halogens and the flammability from the hydrocarbons, specifically the hydrogen. The more halogens present the more toxic the compound; the more hydrogens the more flammable they become. The simplest of the alkyl halides is formed from methane. One hydrogen atom is replaced by one chlorine atom forming the compound methyl chloride, also called chloromethane. Hydrocarbon is represented in the name as well as chlorine. Methyl chloride is a colorless compressed gas or liquid with an ether-like odor. Fire risk is significant with a flammable range of 10.7%–17% in air. Methyl chloride has narcotic effects, with a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm in air. Uses include a refrigerant, topical anesthetic, solvent and herbicide. Adding two more chlorines, it becomes trimethyl chloride, with the trade name of chloroform. Now the flammability is gone, but the toxicity has increased to 10 ppm in air.
Solvents
Published in Ronald M. Scott, in the WORKPLACE, 2020
Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents are employed in the entire range of industrial solvent functions and are the solvent of choice as degreasing solvents and dry cleaning agents. Trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane are used primarily for metal degreasing, while perchloroethylene is heavily used for dry cleaning. Carbon tetrachloride was once used in large quantities as a solvent for dry cleaning, as a fire extinguisher fluid, and in many other everyday applications, but it has now largely been replaced by safer solvents. Several chlorinated hydrocarbons are used as solvents for adhesives. Methylene chloride is used in aerosols, and to dissolve plastics, rubbers, oils, and waxes. It is familiar in the household as the solvent of paint stripper. Methyl chloride is used as a refrigerant and as an aerosol propellant. Of special concern, both from the standpoint of safe use of the materials and to assure environmentally safe disposal of waste, is the fact that there are large numbers of small users of these compounds. For example, over 200,000 dry cleaners use at least one 55-gallon drum of solvent per year.
Chemicals from Paraffin Hydrocarbons
Published in James G. Speight, Handbook of Petrochemical Processes, 2019
The freshly generated chlorine radical Cl atom either attacks another methane molecule and repeats the above reaction, or it reacts with a methyl chloride molecule to form a chloromethyl free radical (•CH2Cl, in which the free electron resides on the carbon atom) and hydrogen chloride: Cl•+CH3Cl→•CCH2Cl
Empirical data in support of a skin notation for methyl chloride
Published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2018
Sharyn Gaskin, Leigh Thredgold, Linda Heath, Dino Pisaniello, Michael Logan, Christina Baxter
Methyl chloride (synonym chloromethane) is a colorless gas at room temperature (b.p. −24.2 C) with an estimated odor threshold of 10 ppm. It is typically produced industrially by either the reaction of methanol and hydrogen chloride or via the chlorination of methane.[1] Methyl chloride is used during industrial processes as a methylating and/or blowing agent in the production of silicones, butyl rubber, methylene chloride, plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, resins, polystyrene, and polyurethane foams.[2] It was also commonly used as a refrigerant in the early to mid-1900s until numerous reported inhalational exposures, resulting from accidental release in both occupational and residential settings, highlighted its human toxicity potential.[3–5] Inhalation of high concentrations of methyl chloride has reportedly led to kidney and liver damage, central nervous system depression, and even death.[1]