Description
Dibromochloromethane is a clear colorlessliquid. Molecular weight = 208.29; Boiling point =119-120℃; Freezing/Melting point = 222℃. Alsoreported as #20℃.
Chemical Properties
Dibromochloromethane is a clear colorless liq-
uid.
Chemical Properties
clear light yellow to orange liquid
Uses
A volatile halogenated methane present in trace amounts in drinking water as a result of the water treatment process. It is useful as chain transfer agents in PVC polymerization.
Uses
Chemical reagent/intermediate in organic synthesis.
Uses
One of four common trihalomethanes
formed after chlorination of water supplies; in
the past used to make fire extinguisher fluids,spray can propellants, refrigerator fluids, and
pesticides; only small amounts currently produced
for laboratory use
Definition
ChEBI: Chlorodibromomethane is an organochlorine compound.
General Description
Clear colorless to yellow-orange liquid. Density 2.451 g / cm3. No flash point.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
CHLORODIBROMOMETHANE is incompatible with strong bases, strong oxidizing agents and magnesium
Health Hazard
Chlorodibromomethane is a
central nervous system (CNS) depressant at
extremely high concentrations; it is toxic to
the liver and kidneys of rodents and induces
hepatocellular tumors in mice after long-term
exposure.
In animal studies, the oral LD50 typically
ranges between 800 and 1200 mg/kg.1,2 Acute
signs of intoxication include sedation, flaccid
muscle tone, ataxia, and prostration; death is
due to CNS depression. In cases in which death
does not occur until several days after acute
exposure, hepatic and renal injury may be the
cause of death.
Fire Hazard
CHLORODIBROMOMETHANE is probably combustible.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
ingestion. Questionable carcinogen with
experimental carcinogenic data. Human
mutation data reported. Compounds of this
type are generally irritating and narcotic. See
also BROMOFORM and CHLOROFORM.
When heated to decomposition it emits
toxic fumes of Cland Br-.
Potential Exposure
Dibromochloromethane is used
as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of fire
extinguishing agents; aerosol propellants; refrigerants, and
pesticides. Dibromochloromethane has been detected in
drinking water in the United States. It is believed to be
formed by the haloform reaction that may occur during
First aid
Skin Contact: Flood all areas of body thathave contacted the substance with water. Do not wait toremove contaminated clothing; do it under the water stream.Use soap to help assure removal. Isolate contaminatedclothing when removed to prevent contact by others.Eye Contact: Remove any contact lenses at once. Flusheyes well with copious quantities of water or normal salinefor at least 2030 min. Seek medical attention.Inhalation: Leave contaminated area immediately; breathefresh air. Proper respiratory protection must be supplied toany rescuers. If coughing, difficult breathing or any othersymptoms develop, seek medical attention at once, even ifsymptoms develop many hours after exposure.Ingestion: If convulsions are not present, give a glass ortwo of water or milk to dilute the substance. Assure that theperson’s airway is unobstructed and contact a hospital orpoison center immediately for advice on whether or not toinduce vomiting
Environmental Fate
Biological. Dibromochloromethane showed significant degradation with gradual adaptation in a
static-culture flask-screening test (settled domestic wastewater inoculum) conducted at 25 °C. At
concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L, percent losses after 4 wk of incubation were 39 and 25,
respectively. At a substrate concentration of 5 mg/L, 16% was lost due to volatilization after 10 d
(Tabak et al., 1981).
Surface Water. The estimated volatilization half-life of dibromochloromethane from rivers and
streams is 45.9 h (Kaczmar et al., 1984).
Photolytic. Water containing 2,000 ng/μL of dibromochloromethane and colloidal platinum
catalyst was irradiated with UV light. After 20 h, dibromochloromethane degraded to 80 ng/μL
bromochloromethane, 22 ng/μL methyl chloride, and 1,050 ng/μL methane. A duplicate
experiment was performed but 1 g zinc was added. After about 1 h, total degradation was
achieved. Presumed transformation products include methane, bromide, and chloride ions (Wang
and Tan, 1988).
Chemical/Physical. The estimated hydrolysis half-life in water at 25 °C and pH 7 is 274 yr
(Mabey and Mill, 1978). Hydrogen gas was bubbled in an aqueous solution containing 18.8 μmol
dibromochloromethane. After 24 h, only 18% of the dibromochloromethane reacted to form
methane and minor traces of ethane. In the presence of colloidal platinum catalyst, the reaction
proceeded at a much faster rate forming the same end products (Wang et al., 1988).
storage
Color Code—Green: General storage may be used.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Store in tightly closedcontainers under an inert atmosphere, away from light, in arefrigerator. Where possible, automatically pump liquidfrom drums or other storage containers to process containers. A regulated, marked area should be established wherethis chemical is handled, used, or stored in compliance withOSHA Standard 1910.1045.
Shipping
UN2810 Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard
Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explo-
sions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases,
strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, and magnesium.
Toxics Screening Level
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for dibromochloromethane is 70 μg/m3 based on an annual averaging time.
Waste Disposal
May be destroyed by high-
temperature incinerator equipped with an HCl scrubber.
