Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)

What is Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)?

Molecular Formula (Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)): CH₂Cl₂

Molecular Weight: 84.927 g/mol

Chemical Name: Dichloromethane

CAS Number: 75-09-2

Methylene Chloride is also known as methylene chloride, dichloromethane, and methylene bichloride. It is a chlorinated hydrocarbon compound with inhalation anesthetic effects and functions as a narcotic at high concentrations.

It is an aliphatic hydrocarbon compound containing a halogen group chemical that is transparent, colorless, volatile, and has a mild ether-like odor.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Methylene Chloride
• Methylene Chloride
• Dichloromethane
• Methylene Dichloride
• Methane, Dichloro-
• Methylene Bichloride
• Narkotil
• Refrigerant
• Dichloro-Methane
• 75-09-2
• Chlorure de Méthylène
• Methylene Chloride

How is it Produced?

Globally, it is most commonly produced by reacting Methanol with Hydrochloric Acid. In the production of Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane), Methyl Chloride is obtained by reacting Methanol with Hydrochloric Acid.

In the subsequent process, Methyl Chloride is mixed by reacting with more Chlorine. As a result, Methylene Chloride, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Chloroform are obtained. This reaction in production is carried out in the gas phase. It can also be carried out photolytically or catalytically.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties of Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)?

It is non-flammable but may emit toxic chloride fumes if exposed to high temperatures.

Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) is colorless and has a characteristic ether-type odor.

The boiling point is 40 °C.

The melting point is -97 °C.

Due to its properties such as odor, non-flammability, and volatility, it plays an excellent role as a solvent in laboratory studies. It generally assumes this role in organic reactions.

Dichloromethane has a solubility of 13 mg/ml at 25 °C. It is soluble in carbon tetrachloride.

It is miscible with Ethanol, ether, and dimethylformamide.

Its density is 1.33 g/cm³.

What are the Usage Areas of Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)?

• Methylene Chloride used in aerosol product manufacturing is stabilized to a higher degree. It is used as a powerful solvent in aerosol packages, adhesives, and paint formulations. In aerosols, it is used as a powerful solvent, flammability inhibitor, as well as a vapor pressure reducer and viscosity thinner.
• Due to its strong dissolving ability, it is an important solvent in adhesive formulations with its low flammability and fast drying time.
• In addition, Methylene Chloride helps protect the equipment used in unpackaged aerosol applications and provides additional protection to the application surface.
• Methylene Chloride, referred to as caffeine extraction grade, must be of high purity and low stabilization, used as an extractant in the recovery and purification of many different materials.
• Dichloromethane is used in the extraction of naturally occurring products such as fats, butter, caffeine, cocoa, and hops, and in the extraction of pharmaceutically active natural products. Here, the excellent solubility of this chemical is utilized.
• Methylene Chloride is used as a recrystallization solvent in the production of many antibiotics and vitamins.
• The degreasing grade form contains a 3-part stabilizer package for use in vapor degreasing applications. Due to its low boiling point, it is used for degreasing temperature-sensitive parts.
• Technical grade Methylene Chloride is inhibited with one of two stabilizers such as cyclohexane or amylene. This grade is used as an ideal paint stripper and paint mask cleaner due to its high solubility capability.
• Solutions containing Methylene are used in both flow and dip tanks in furniture finishing processes.
• It is used to reduce flammability as it does not have a normal flash point. It is also used to reduce fire and explosion risks within the facility.
• It can be used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards in the electronics industry. In this field, it is used in the stage of converting polycycloolefins into substrates by impregnation.
• In the manufacture of polyurethane foam, foam is manufactured with a mixture of Toluene Diisocyanate 80/20 and Polyol. During production, raw material residues remain in some parts of the polyurethane machine and blockages occur. To prevent this, a cleaning process is performed with Methylene Chloride.
• Methylene Chloride is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate resins used in the manufacture of thermoplastics.
• It is used as a solvent in the production of cellulose triacetate, which serves as a base for photographic film.
• It is a chemical used as a release agent to prevent plastic parts or manufactured parts from permanently sticking during solvent welding.
• In the case of Interfacial Polycondensation, methylene chloride solvent is preferred due to its high density against some polymers.
• Some detergents contain solvents. It is used in the production of detergents containing solvents.
• It is the main solvent component in the production of chemicals produced to dissolve and help break down asphalt pitch consisting of high molecular weight hydrocarbons.
• It is used in the production of extraction solvents produced for the removal of plasticizers in Lithium-Ion batteries. It is important that the boiling point is lower than the Polyolefin melting point.

What Factors Affect its Prices?

Methylene Chloride price is directly dependent on the prices of chemicals used in its production. As the price of Methanol increases, the prices of this chemical will increase. Prices are directly dependent on the price of Hydrochloric Acid. As the price of Hydrochloric Acid increases, the price of Methylene Chloride will increase.

Dichloromethane prices are directly proportional to its usage area. As the usage area increases, its prices will increase.

Its prices are directly dependent on its production. In the event that a new Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) production facility is established, the price of this chemical will experience a temporary decrease. But it will reach equilibrium over time.