kids encyclopedia robot

Carbon tetrachloride facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Carbon tetrachloride
Tetrachlormethan.svg
Carbon-tetrachloride-3D-vdW.png
Carbon tetrachloride.JPG
IUPAC name Carbon tetrachloride, Tetrachloromethane
Other names Benziform, Benzinoform, Carbon chloride, Carbon tet, Freon-10, Refrigerant-10, Halon-104, Methane tetrachloride, Methyl tetrachloride, Perchloromethane, Tetraform, Tetrasol
Identifiers
CAS number 56-23-5
PubChem 5943
EC number 200-262-8
KEGG C07561
ChEBI CHEBI:27385
RTECS number FG4900000
SMILES ClC(Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Molecular formula CCl4
Molar mass 153.82 g mol-1
Appearance colourless liquid
Odor Sweet, ether-like odor
Density 1.5867 g cm−3 (liquid)

1.831 g cm−3 at −186 °C (solid)
1.809 g cm−3 at −80 °C (solid)

Melting point

-22.92 °C, 250 K, -9 °F

Boiling point

76.72 °C, 350 K, 170 °F

Solubility in water 0.097 g/100 mL (0 °C)
0.081 g/100 mL (25 °C)
Solubility soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzene, naphtha, CS2, formic acid
log P 2.64
Vapor pressure 11.94 kPa at 20 °C
kH 2.76x10−2 atm-cu m/mol
-66.60·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD) 1.4607
Dipole moment 0 D
Structure
Crystal structure Monoclinic
Coordination
geometry
Tetragonal
Molecular shape Tetrahedral
Dipole moment 0 D
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation ΔfHo298
-139.3 kJ/mol
Standard molar
entropy So298
214.42 J/mol K
Specific heat capacity, C 132.6 J/mol K
Hazards
EU classification Toxic T Dangerous for the Environment (Nature) N
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

0
3
1
 
R-phrases R23/24/25, R40, R48/23, R59, R52/53
S-phrases (S1/2), S23, S36/37, S45, S59, S61
Flash point <982°C
U.S. Permissible
exposure limit (PEL)
TWA 10 ppm C 25 ppm 200 ppm (5-minute maximum peak in any 4 hours)
Related compounds
Other cations Silicon tetrachloride
Germanium tetrachloride
Tin tetrachloride
Lead tetrachloride
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Carbon tetrachloride, also known as carbon tet or Freon 10, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is CCl4. It contains carbon in its +4 oxidation state and chloride ions.

Properties

It is a colorless liquid. It smells like ether. It evaporates quite quickly. It can dissolve fats and oils as well as other stuff such as iodine. It doesn't burn, but it does make phosgene when heated to a high temperature.

Preparation

It is made by reacting methane with chlorine. This reaction is similar to the burning of methane (reaction of methane with oxygen). Hydrogen chloride is a byproduct (left over substance). It used to be made by reacting carbon disulfide with chlorine. This reaction would produce sulfur(I) chloride.

Uses

The uses of carbon tetrachloride have diminished lately because it is known to be damage people's health. People think it might damage the ozone layer. Today, it is rarely used for anything.

Previously, was used in fire extinguishers. It was also used to make freon, used in dry cleaning and as a refrigerant.

Safety

Carbon tetrachloride is very poisonous to the liver, the kidneys and the nervous system; it might also cause cancer.

Related pages

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cloruro de carbono(IV) para niños

kids search engine
Carbon tetrachloride Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.