Methylene Chloride

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What Is Methylene Chloride?

Methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane (DCM), is a volatile, polar, organochloride compound that’s miscible with many organic solvents.

A colorless liquid at room temperature, methylene chloride has a sweet, penetrating odor. It’s a member of the halomethanes or chloromethanes group where one or more hydrogens has been replaced by a halogen (chlorine).

Though non-combustible and non-flammable, methylene chloride can emit toxic chloride fumes when exposed to high temperatures. The vapors are narcotic in high concentrations.

Dichloromethane is formally rated as a probable carcinogen by IARC 2A and is a potentially toxic compound. It has been detected in feces, saliva, and other biofluids.

Synonyms: Dichloromethane, methylene dichloride, methylene bichloride, DCM

View All Methylene Chloride Products

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Physical and Chemical Properties

PropertyValue  

Property

Molecular Weight
Value
84.93 g/mol
 
 
 
 

Property

Density
Value
1.3255 g/mL at 20ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Boiling Point
Value
40ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Melting Point
Value
-95.1oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Flash Point
Value
5.5oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Viscosity
Value
0.413 cP at 25ºC
 
 
 
 

Property

Dielectric Constant
Value
8.93 at 25oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Dipole Moment
Value
1.6
 
 
 
 

Property

UV Cutoff
Value
233 nm
 
 
 
 

Property

Refractive Index
Value
1.4244 at 20oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Vapor Pressure
Value
435 mm Hg at 25oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Water Solubility
Value
13 mg/mL at 25°C
 
 
 
 

Property

Heat of Combustion
Value
28.82 x 106 J/kg at 25oC
 
 
 
 

Property

Surface Tension
Value
28.2 dyne/cm at 20oC
 
 
 

Uses

Methylene chloride is commonly used as a solvent for organic reactions and extractions, and in drug and pesticide manufacturing. It’s also used as a refrigerant and paint stripper and to remove caffeine from coffee and tea.

Designations and Grades

PropertyValue  

Property

CAS Number
Value
75-09-2
 
 
 
 

Property

MDL Number
Value
MFCD00000881
 
 
 
 

Property

RIDAD/UN Number
Value
1593
 
 
 
 

Property

Beilstein Registry
Value
1730800
 
 
 
 

Property

EG/EC Number
Value
200-838-9
 
 
 
 

Property

NSC Number
Value
406122
 
 
 
 

Property

ICSC Number
Value
0058
 
 
 
 

Property

RTECS Number
Value
PA8050000
 
 
 
 

Grades

ACS/ACS Reagent/Certified ACS

Anhydrous/Dry/Extra Dry/Low Water

Biochemical

Environmental

FCC

GC/Capillary GC

GC/Pesticide Residue

GC-MS

HPLC

Laboratory/Technical

NF

Pesticide

Spectrophotometry