Tetrachloroethylene (C15-1210-137)

General description

Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE), is a chlorinated ethylene compound commonly used as a dry cleaning and degreasing solvent. It shows IR transparency as it has no C–H bonds making it an ideal solvent for IR spectroscopy. PCE is a man-made pollutant which is difficult to degrade. It is a ground water contaminant which has adverse effect on human health due to its potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. Some of the methods proposed for its degradation are Fenton oxidation treatment, reductive dehalogenation under methanogenic condition, and reduction using zero valent metal ions. One of the methods reported for its synthesis is by reacting ethylene dichloride and chlorine.

Application

Tetrachloroethylene may be used as a film-forming electrolyte additive in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries. It may also be used as an extractant for the estimation of oil and grease in water by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).