Bis(chloroethyl) ether is an organic compound with the formula O(CH2CH2Cl)2. It is an ether with two 2-chloroethyl substituents. It is a colorless liquid with the odor of a chlorinated solvent.[3]
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Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name 1-Chloro-2-(2-chloroethoxy)ethane | |
Other names Oxygen mustard; Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether; 2,2'-Dichlorodiethyl ether; Chlorex; Khloreks; DCEE; 2-Chloroethyl ether; 1,1'-oxybis[2-chloroethane] | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.519 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
PubChem CID | |
RTECS number |
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UNII | |
UN number | 1916 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
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Properties | |
C4H8Cl2O | |
Molar mass | 143.01 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Clear liquid[1] |
Odor | Chlorinated solvent-like[1] |
Density | 1.22 g/mL[1] |
Melting point | −50 °C; −58 °F; 223 K[1] |
Boiling point | 178 °C; 352 °F; 451 K[1] decomposes |
10,200 mg/L | |
Vapor pressure | 0.7 mmHg (20 °C)[1] |
Hazards | |
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards | Very toxic (T+) Dangerous for the environment (N) Vesicant |
GHS labelling: | |
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Danger | |
H226, H300, H310, H315, H319, H330, H351 | |
P201, P202, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P280, P281, P284, P301+P310, P302+P350, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P308+P313, P310, P320, P321, P322, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P361, P362, P363, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501 | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Flash point | 55 °C; 131 °F; 328 K |
Explosive limits | 2.7%-?[1] |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LC50 (median concentration) | 77 ppm (rat, 4 hr) 152 ppm (mouse, 2 hr) 500 ppm (guinea pig, 1 hr)[2] |
LCLo (lowest published) | 250 ppm (rat, 4 hr) 500 ppm (guinea pig, 5 hr)[2] |
NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) | TWA 15 ppm (90 mg/m3) [skin][1] |
REL (Recommended) | Ca TWA 5 ppm (30 mg/m3) ST 10 ppm (60 mg/m3) [skin][1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) | Ca [100 ppm][1] |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds | Sulfur mustard Nitrogen mustard 2-Bromoethyl ether |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Reactions and applications
Bis(chloroethyl) ether is less reactive than the corresponding sulfur mustard S(CH2CH2Cl)2.[3] In the presence of base, it reacts with catechol to form dibenzo-18-crown-6:[4]
Bis(chloroethyl) ether can be used in the synthesis of the cough suppressant fedrilate. It is combined with benzyl cyanide and two molar equivalents of sodamide in a ring-forming reaction. When treated with strong base, it gives divinyl ether, an anesthetic:[5]
- O(CH2CH2Cl)2 + 2 KOH → O(CH=CH2)2 + 2 KCl + 2 H2O
Toxicity
The LD50 is 74 mg/kg (oral, rat).[3] Bis(chloroethyl) ether is considered as a potential carcinogen.[6]
See also
References
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