1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane is a chlorinated hydrocarbon. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet chloroform-like odor. It is used as a solvent and in the production of wood stains and varnishes. It is an isomer of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

Production
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane can be obtained by a two-step addition reaction of acetylene with chlorine (via dichloroethene), but this mainly produces 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.


 * C2H2 + Cl2 -> C2H2Cl2


 * C2H2Cl2 + Cl2 -> C2H2Cl4

It can be obtained directly by chlorination of 1,1,2-trichloroethane:


 * CHCl2\sCH2Cl + Cl2 -> CCl3\sCH2Cl + HCl

Safety
IARC has classified 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane as a possible carcinogen for humans in 2014.