General Description
HEXACHLOROETHANE(67-72-1) is a colorless, crystalline solid with a camphor-like odor. HEXACHLOROETHANE(67-72-1) may cause illness from inhalation or ingestion and may irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. When heated to high temperatures HEXACHLOROETHANE(67-72-1) may emit toxic fumes. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. HEXACHLOROETHANE(67-72-1) is used to make other chemicals.
Reactivity Profile
HEXACHLOROETHANE can react with hot iron, zinc and aluminum. Dehalogenation of this material by reaction with alkalis and metals will produce unstable chloroacetylenes. HEXACHLOROETHANE can also react with strong oxidizing agents. .
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong
irritant, absorbed by skin. Possible carcinogen.
Health Hazard
Compound is a powerful narcotic and liver poison; may also cause changes in blood composition and neurological disturbances. Repeated exposure by inhalation can be fatal. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, severe mucosal injury, liver necrosis, cyanosis, unconsciousness, loss of reflexes, and death. Contact with eyes causes irritation and lachrymation. Can be absorbed through the skin and may produce severe skin lesions.
Potential Exposure
In the US, about half the HCE is used
by the military for smoke-producing devices. It is also used
to remove air bubbles in melted aluminum. It may be
present as an ingredient in some fungicides, insecticides,
lubricants, and plastics. It is no longer made in the United
States, but it is formed as a by-product in the production of
some chemicals. Can be formed by incinerators when mate rials containing chlorinated hydrocarbons are burned. Some
HCE can also be formed when chlorine reacts with carbon
compounds in drinking water. As a medicinal, HCE is used
as an anthelmintic to treat fascioliasis in sheep and cattle.
It is also added to the feed of ruminants, preventing metha nogenesis and increasing feed efficiency. HCE is used in
metal and alloy production, mainly in refining aluminum
alloys. It is also used for removing impurities from molten
metals, recovering metals from ores or smelting products
and improving the quality of various metals and alloys.
HCE is contained in pyrotechnics. It inhibits the explosive ness of methane and the combustion of ammonium perchlo rate. Smoke containing HCE is used to extinguish fires.
HCE has various applications as a polymer additive. It has
flameproofing qualities, increases sensitivity to radiation
crosslinking, and is used as a vulcanizing agent. Added to
polymer fibers, HCE acts as a swelling agent and increases
affinity for dyes.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating hydrogen chloride vapor may form in fire.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve
or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxy gen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contami nated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance,
immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at
least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading
material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet.
Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to
substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel
are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to
protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for
24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary
edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a
doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering
a drug or other inhalation therapy.
Shipping
UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s.,
Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials,
Technical Name Required. UN3077 Environmentally
hazardous substances, solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9;
Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical
Name Required.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with strong acids, oxidizers
(chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates,
chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires
or explosions. Keep away from strong bases.
Description
Hexachloroethane (HCE) is a halogenated hydrocarbon consisting
of six chlorines attached to an ethane (ACGIH, 1991); it
is a white to pale yellow solid that is unstable in air and evaporates
gradually. It smells like camphor when its concentration
in air and water are 150 and 10 ppb, respectively. HCE itself
does not catch fire easily; however; in aqueous nonbiological
conditions it has been determined that HCE is unstable and
nonenzymatic dechlorination in the absence of nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) occurs. It rapidly
degrades in soil or groundwater. Also, some microorganisms
break down HCE without oxygen, and decomposition in
aerobic conditions has been reported. Some bioconcentration
of HCE in fish has been determined, though upper levels
through the food chain are limited, since it is rapidly metabolized
by fish, which is discussed later (ATSDR, 1997).
Eyes, skin, respiratory system, and kidneys have been
proposed as main targets in humans upon exposure. Symptoms
include blinking, tearing, photophobia, and irritation of
eyes. Also, facial muscles may have difficulty in movement.
Animal studies on effects of HCE during pregnancy are limited.
After oral exposure, HCE is primarily distributed to fat tissue.
Toxicokinetic studies in animals indicated that HCE is mostly
localized and metabolized in the liver and kidney. Several
corresponded metabolites have demonstrated liver and kidney
toxicities similar to HCE. Neurological effects such as tremors
and ataxia were observed in Beagle dogs, rats, and pregnant
rats. Other effects via inhalation exposure included reduced
body weight and increased relative liver weight in rats and
guinea pigs. In another study, male rats also displayed
increased relative spleen and testes weight. Based on California
Proposition 65, HCE was proposed to be carcinogenic for
humans, and it induces tumors at sites other than the site of
entry. Noncancerous effects include kidney degeneration
(tubular nephropathy, necrosis of renal tubular epithelium,
hyaline droplet formation, tubular regeneration, and tubular
casts) and hepatocellular necrosis. It results in hyaline droplet
nephropathy and renal toxicity, and it induces chromosome
malsegregation, lethality, and mitotic growth arrest (Crebelli
et al., 1995, 1992, 1988).
Chemical Properties
Hexachloroethane is a white solid with a
camphor-like odor. It gradually evaporates when it is exposed to air.
Chemical Properties
white crystalline powder
Waste Disposal
Incineration after mixing with
another combustible fuel. Care must be exercised to assure
complete combustion to prevent the formation of phosgene.
An acid scrubber is necessary to remove the halo acids pro duced. Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for
guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of
waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must con form to EPA regulations governing storage, transportation,
treatment, and waste disposal.
Physical properties
Rhombic, triclinic or cubic, colorless crystals with a camphor-like odor. Odor threshold
concentration is 0.15 ppm (quoted, Amoore and Hautala, 1983).
Uses
Hexachloroethane is used as a solvent, infireworks and smoke devices; in explosives,in celluloid, as an insecticide, and as a rubbervulcanizing accelerator. Earlier it was used asan anthelmintic for livestock.
Hexachloroethane is a highly efficient chlorinating agent in the preparation of chlorosilanes from hydrosilanes.
Uses
In metallurgy for refining aluminum alloys, removing impurities from molten metals, recovering metal from ores or smelting products. Degassing agent for magnesium; to inhibit explosiveness of methane and combustion of ammonium perchlorate. Smoke generator in grenades; in pyrotechnics. Ignition suppressant, in fire extinguishing fluids, polymer additive, flame-proofing agent, vulcanizing agent. In production of synthetic diamonds.
Uses
The applications of hexachloroethane have been extensive; however, industrial uses are diminishing. Hexachloroethane is used primarily in military smoke munitions (e.g., smoke pots, grenades, cartridges, and projectiles used to generate “smoke” or “fog”) and in pyrotechnics.
The estimated average annual use of hexachloroethane from 1966 to 1977 at a major facility manufacturing smoke and pyrotechnic devices was 192,802 lb. In the 1970s, about half of the hexachloroethane distributed was used to manufacture military smoke-producing and pyrotechnic devices, 30% to 40% to manufacture degassing pellets to remove air bubbles from molten ore at aluminum foundries, and 10% to 20% as an antihelminthic to control liver flukes in sheep and cattle. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdrew approval for the use of hexachloroethane as an antihelminthic in 1971, and it probably is no longer used for this purpose (ATSDR 1997). Its use for degassing aluminum also has been almost completely phased out in the United States (EPA 1999). Other uses in metallurgy include refining alloys, removing impurities from molten metals, recovering metals from ores or smelting products, and as a degassing agent for magnesium; however, the European Union began phasing out the use of hexachloroethane in nonferrous metals in 1998 (EC 1998).
A number of other past uses of hexachloroethane have been identified, but many of these likely have been discontinued or involve the use of only limited quantities. Hexachloroethane is used as a laboratory chemical and as an ingredient in various fungicidal and insecticidal formulations, extreme-pressure lubricants, and plastics (ATSDR 1997, IARC 1999, HSDB 2009). Other past uses include as a moth repellent and in the chemical industry as a polymer additive, a plasticizer for cellulose esters, an accelerator, a vulcanizing agent, a process solvent in rubber manufacturing, a retardant in fermentation processes, and a component of submarine paints, and in the production of some types of synthetic diamonds. It has also been used as a component of fire-extinguishing fluids, an additive in combustible liquids (ignition suppressant), and an inhibitor of the explosiveness of methane and the combustion of ammonium perchlorate (IARC 1979, 1999, HSDB 2009).
Definition
ChEBI: A member of the class of chloroethanes that is ethane in which all the hydrogens are replaced by chloro groups.
Carcinogenicity
Hexachloroethane is reasonably anticipated to be ogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicit
a human carciny from studies in experimental animals.
storage
Color Code- Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Hexachloroethane must be stored to avoid contactwith hot iron, zinc， aluminum, and alkalis since violentreactions occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool,well-ventilated area away from heat. A regulated, markedarea should be established where this chemical is handled,used, or stored in compliance with OSHA Standard1910.1045.
Purification Methods
Steam distil it, then crystallise it from 95% EtOH. Dry it in the dark under vacuum. [Beilstein 1 IV 148.]
Toxicity evaluation
Reports on human health effects are limited and confounded
by coexposure to multiple solvents or other toxicants (e.g.,
HCE-zinc oxide smoke), and are too small to provide definitive
conclusions on health effects. Animal studies suggest that HCE
is primarily metabolized to tetrachloroethylene (PERC) and
pentachloroethane by CYP450 enzymes of the liver, with likely
subsequent metabolism to TCE. Metabolites identified in the
urine include TCA, trichloroethanol, oxalic acid, dichloroethanol,
dichloroacetic acid, and monochloroacetic acid
(Gorzinski et al., 1985).
Studies of TCA (a potential metabolite of HCE) indicate
that free-radical generation may play a role in mediating
toxicity, particularly in the liver. However, no data are available
demonstrating generation of free radicals following exposure to
HCE, and it is unknown whether unchanged HCE or its
metabolites are responsible for the liver and kidney toxicities
observed in animal studies. Lipid peroxidation was reported by
formation of malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, which
involves free radicals (Town et al., 1984). In another study, the
presence of radiolabeled carbon measured by in vivo binding
studies suggested that HCE can bind to DNA, RNA, and
protein. Therefore, renal toxicity and hepatotoxicity may also
involve HCE binding to DNA, RNA, or protein, resulting in
cytotoxicity and contributing to the cytotoxic damage from
radicals. Another hypothesis is the data that a α2u-globulin
mode of action could contribute to HCE-induced nephropathy
but they are not sufficient.
