Production and Uses
- Chloroethane is produced by hydrochlorination of ethylene.
- It can also be produced from ethanol and hydrochloric acid, ethane and chlorine, or ethanol and phosphorus trichloride.
- Some chloroethane is generated as a byproduct of polyvinyl chloride production.
- The routes involving ethanol and hydrochloric acid, ethane and chlorine, and ethanol and phosphorus trichloride are no longer economical.
- Chloroethane production from ethanol and hydrochloric acid was first done in 1440.
- Chloroethane is an inexpensive ethylating agent.
- It is used to convert cellulose to ethylcellulose, a thickening agent and binder.
- It has been used as a refrigerant, aerosol spray propellant, anesthetic, and blowing agent for foam packaging.
- It was used as a promoter chemical in the process to produce ethylbenzene.
- Currently, it is not widely used in these roles.

Obsolete uses
- Chloroethane was primarily used to produce tetraethyllead, an anti-knock additive for gasoline.
- The demand for chloroethane has fallen sharply as tetraethyllead is being phased out.
- Tetraethyllead production using chloroethane as a precursor was common from 1922 to the 20th century.
- Chloroethane is no longer used for this purpose in most industrialised countries.
- The use of tetraethyllead has been or is being phased out worldwide.

Niche uses
- Chloroethane can be applied topically to produce a deep and rapid chill, useful for removing splinters or incising abscesses.
- It was commonly used in casualty wards and dentistry.
- Chloroethane was used as an anesthetic before di-ethyl ether.
- It is used in dentistry to diagnose a dead tooth.
- In Brazil, it is a major component of a traditional (though illegal) drug taken during Carnaval.

Safety
- Chloroethane vapor is flammable and narcotic, requiring caution.
- Monochloroethane is the least toxic of the chloroethanes.
- Breathing its vapors at less than 1% concentration usually causes no symptoms.
- Concentrations of 3% to 5% can cause symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication.
- Breathing its vapors at 15% concentration is often fatal.

Regulatory control and Health hazards
- Chloroethane is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- Prolonged exposure to chloroethane can cause liver and kidney damage.
- Inhalation of chloroethane can lead to respiratory issues and central nervous system depression.
- Skin contact with chloroethane may cause irritation and dermatitis.
- Occupational exposure to chloroethane should be minimised to prevent adverse health effects.
- Anvisa, the Brazilian health regulatory agency, has listed chloroethane as a substance under special control.
- The use and distribution of chloroethane are regulated to prevent misuse and harm.
- Regulatory agencies worldwide have established guidelines and limits for exposure to chloroethane.
- Compliance with safety regulations and proper handling of chloroethane is essential in industrial settings.
- Ongoing monitoring and assessment of chloroethane's environmental and health impacts are necessary.

Chloroethane (Wikipedia)

Chloroethane, commonly known as ethyl chloride, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3CH2Cl, once widely used in producing tetraethyllead, a gasoline additive. It is a colorless, flammable gas or refrigerated liquid with a faintly sweet odor.

Chloroethane
Skeletal formula of chloroethane
Skeletal formula of chloroethane
Skeletal formula of chloroethane with stereo bonds
Skeletal formula of chloroethane with stereo bonds
Ball-and-stick model of chloroethane
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Chloroethane
Other names
Ethyl chloride, Monochloroethane, Chlorene, Muriatic ether, EtCl, UN 1037, Hydrochloric Ether, Chelen, Kelene
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard100.000.755 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
RTECS number
  • KH7525000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C2H5Cl/c1-2-3/h2H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: HRYZWHHZPQKTII-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C2H5Cl/c1-2-3/h2H2,1H3
    Key: HRYZWHHZPQKTII-UHFFFAOYAJ
  • ClCC
Properties
C2H5Cl
Molar mass64.51 g·mol−1
AppearanceColorless gas
OdorPungent, ethereal
Density0.921 g/cm3 (0-4 °C)
0.8898 g/cm3 (25 °C)
Melting point−138.7 °C (−217.7 °F; 134.5 K)
Boiling point12.27 °C (54.09 °F; 285.42 K)
decomposes at 510 °C
0.447 g/100 mL (0 °C)
0.574 g/100 mL (20 °C)
SolubilitySoluble in alcohol, ether
Solubility in ethanol48.3 g/100 g (21 °C)
Vapor pressure8.4 kPa (-40 °C)
62.3 kPa (0 °C)
134.6 kPa (20 °C)
11.1 L·atm/mol (24 °C)
1.3676 (20 °C)
1.001 (25 °C)
Viscosity0.279 cP (10 °C)
Structure
2.06 D
Thermochemistry
104.3 J/mol·K
275.7 J/mol·K
-137 kJ/mol
-59.3 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
N01BX01 (WHO)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Flammable
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H220, H280, H351, H412
P210, P273, P281, P410+P403
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propaneInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
4
2
Flash point−43 °C (−45 °F; 230 K)
open cup
−50 °C (−58 °F; 223 K)
closed cup
494 to 519 °C (921 to 966 °F; 767 to 792 K)
Explosive limits3.8%-15.4%
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
59,701 ppm (rat, 2 hr)
54,478 ppm (mouse, 2 hr)
40,000 ppm (guinea pig, 45 min)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
TWA 1000 ppm (2600 mg/m3)
REL (Recommended)
Handle with caution in the workplace.
IDLH (Immediate danger)
3800 ppm
Legal status
Related compounds
Related haloalkanes
1,1-dichloroethane

1,2-dichloroethane
1,1,1-trichloroethane
1,1,2-trichloroethane
bromoethane
chloromethane

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Ethyl chloride was first synthesised by Basil Valentine by reacting ethanol and hydrochloric acid in 1440. Glauber made it in 1648 by reacting ethanol and zinc chloride.

Chloroethane (Wiktionary)

English

Etymology

chloro- +‎ ethane

Noun

chloroethane (plural chloroethanes)

  1. (organic chemistry) The halogenated hydrocarbon CH3-CH2Cl, one used as an anesthetic; it has many industrial applications

Synonyms

Hypernyms

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