1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane

Chemical properties

yellowish heavy liquid with odour of camphor and

Chemical properties

Acetylene tetrabromide is a combustible, colorless to yellow liquid. Strong odor.

Physical properties

Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent odor resembling camphor and iodoform

The Uses of 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane

1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane was used to prepare tribromoethene by dehydrohalogenation using sodium hydroxide in methanol.

The Uses of 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane

Heavy liquid used for the separation of minerals

The Uses of 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane

In microscopy, as solvent, separating minerals by density.

The Uses of 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane

Gauge fluid; solvent; refractive index liquid in microscopy

General Description

A yellowish liquid with a pungent odor, much like camphor. Irritates skin. Ingestion or inhalation may produce irritation or a narcotic effect. Chronic exposure may damage liver. Noncombustible, but decomposes at 374°F, releasing flammable and toxic fumes. Much denser than water. Used as a solvent for fats, oils and waxes.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane is incompatible with strong bases and chemically active metals. Incompatible with hot iron, aluminum and zinc in the presence of steam. May react with magnesium. Softens or destroys most plastics and rubber .

Health Hazard

Inhalation of vapors or dust is extremely irritating. May cause burning of eyes and flow of tears. May cause coughing, difficult breathing and nausea. Brief exposure effects last only a few minutes. Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated.

Safety Profile

Poison by inhalation, ingestion, and intraperitoneal routes. An eye and skin irritant and a narcotic. Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated it emits hghly toxic fumes of carbonyl bromide and Br-. See also ACETYLENE COMPOUNDS and BROMIDES

Potential Exposure

Acetylene tetrabromide is used as a solvent; a gauge fluid, and as a refractive index liquid in microscopy.

Shipping

UN2504 Tetrabromoethane, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials

Purification Methods

Wash it successively with conc H2SO4 (three times) and H2O (three times), dry it with K2CO3 and CaSO4 and distil it in a vacuum or at ~760mm. [Beilstein 1 IV 162.]

Incompatibilities

Chemically active metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc), strong caustics; hot iron. Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions.

Waste Disposal

Incineration in admixture with combustible fuel and with scrubber to remove halo acids produced.