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.
It was likely discovered by Auguste Laurent along with the 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane isomer and trichloroethylene in 1836.Essai sur l'Action du Chlore sur la Liqueur des Hollandais et sur quelques Ethers in Annales de Chimie, LXIII. (1836) page 379The so-called Perchloride of Formyl, Gmelin, L. (translated in 1855). Hand-book of Chemistry: Organic chemistry. UK: Cavendish Society. pages 199-200 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane was named "perchloride of formyl" in Leopold Gmelin's Hand-book of Chemistry, the same name was also used for chloroform.On Chloroform and Tests for Its Purity (1865) by D. R. Brown in American Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 37, page 289
Production 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane can be obtained by a two-step addition reaction of acetylene with chlorine (via dichloroethylene), but this mainly produces 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.
It can be obtained directly by chlorination of 1,1,2-trichloroethane:Lawrance Waddams: The Petroleum chemicals Industry, S. 175.
Safety IARC has classified 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane as a possible carcinogen for humans in 2014.IARC Monograph 106 – 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 2014
See also 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
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