vinylchloride

Vinyl chloride, also known as chloroethylene, is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature with a sweet odor. Its chemical formula is C2H3Cl. It is primarily used as the feedstock for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most widely produced plastics worldwide.

Industrial production is dominated by the dehydrochlorination of ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane), a compound derived from ethylene and chlorine. A historical acetylene-based route exists but is largely supplanted by the EDC-based process. The resulting monomer, vinyl chloride, is polymerized to PVC and to a limited extent to specialty copolymers.

Vinyl chloride is highly reactive and polymerizes readily; polymerization is exothermic and must be controlled with inhibitors to prevent runaway reactions. In commerce it is stored and shipped as a stabilized monomer and is also handled under conditions that prevent accidental polymerization or combustion.

Health effects: vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 1) linked to hepatic angiosarcoma and other cancers. Acute exposures can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and CNS effects. It is a flammable, potentially explosive gas, and exposures require appropriate ventilation, containment, and personal protective equipment.

Environmental and regulatory notes: as a volatile organic compound, vinyl chloride participates in atmospheric chemistry and breaks down by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. It is subject to workplace exposure limits, transport rules, and environmental controls in many countries, reflecting its toxicity and flammability.