Carbon Tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, (i.e. Tetrachloromethane), is prepared by the action of chlorine on carbon disulphide in the presence of iodine, which acts as a Catalyst.

		CS2    +    Cl2     ==>    CCl4    +    S2Cl2   

Carbon tetrachloride may also be prepared by the free radical substitution of the hydrogen atoms of methane by chlorine.

		CH4     +    4 Cl2     ==>    CCl4    +    4 HCl

Properties of Carbon Tetrachloride

• a colourless volatile non-flammable liquid with a characteristic odour,
• has
  • Melting Point : -23 degC
  • Boiling Point : 76.8 degC
  • Relative Density : 1.586
• is insoluble in water,
• is soluble in many organic solvents, including ethanol and benzene,
• is a good solvent for waxes, lacquers, and rubbers and the main industrial use is as a solvent.

The bonding in carbon tetrachloride is covalent, as in Methane.