dichloormethaan

Dichloormethaan, also known as dichloromethane or methylene chloride, is a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent with the chemical formula CH2Cl2. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a mildly sweet odor. It is miscible with many organic solvents, but only sparingly soluble in water. Its physical properties, including a boiling point near 39.6°C and a relatively high vapor pressure, make it prone to rapid evaporation at room temperature.

Dichloormethaan is produced industrially by chlorination of methane to chloromethane, followed by further chlorination to dichloromethane. It is widely used as a solvent in paint stripping, metal cleaning, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and in various chemical processing applications. It has also served as a processing solvent in the electronics and polymer industries and as a laboratory reagent.

Health and safety considerations are central to its handling. Inhalation or skin contact can cause irritation, dizziness, and central nervous system depression; higher exposures can lead to more severe effects. Chronic exposure has been associated with liver and kidney effects. Metabolism in the liver can generate carbon monoxide, contributing to hypoxic stress. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified dichloormethaan as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Appropriate engineering controls, ventilation, and personal protective equipment are advised to minimize risk.

Environmentally, dichloormethaan is volatile and tends to evaporate from surface waters and soils. In the atmosphere it degrades relatively quickly via reactions with hydroxyl radicals, but releases can contribute to air and water contamination if not properly controlled. Regulatory frameworks in many countries establish occupational exposure limits and safety requirements for its use, with stricter controls for consumer products in some regions.