1 1 2-Trichloroethane (1 1 2-TCA) a chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon is a common groundwater pollutant. Microbial detoxification of 1 1 2-TCA has been studied. Ni supported on mesoporous silica (SBA-16) catalyzed hydrodechlorination of 1 1 2-trichloroethane has been reported. Rotational isomers of 1 1 2-trichloroethane in the gaseous and liquid states have been investigated by the infrared absorption spectra.