1,2-Dichloroethane

Colorless liquid with a pleasant, chloroform-like odor. [Note: Decomposes slowly, becomes acidic & darkens in color.]
1,2-Dichloroethane, also called ethylene dichloride (EDC), is a manufactured chemical that is not found naturally in the environment. It is used principally to synthesize vinyl chloride, which is further used to produce a variety of vinyl based plastics products, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, furniture, automobile upholstery, wall coverings, housewares, and automobile parts. It is used in solvents in closed systems for various extraction and cleaning purposes in organic synthesis. It is used as a leaded gasoline additive to remove lead, but with declining tendency. It is used as a dispersant in rubber and plastics, as a wetting and penetrating agent. It was used in ore flotation, as a metal degreaser, and in textile and PVC cleaning. It was also used as an insect fumigant for stored grains and in mushroom houses, a soil fumigant in peach and apple orchards. But due to its toxicity, it is no longer registered for use as an insect fumigant in the United States (IARC 1999).1,2-Dichloroethane structure
1,2-Dichloroethane is a clear and colorless, flammable liquid which has a pleasant, chloroform-like odor, and a sweetish taste. Decomposes slowly: turns dark and acidic on contact with air, moisture, and light. The Odor Threshold is 100 ppm.It is a volatile compound. It is relatively insoluble in water (8.6 × 103 mg/l at 25 °C) but soluble in various organic solvents and is miscible with alcohol, chloroform, and ether (NLM, 2013). 1,2-Dichloroethane is one of the highest volume chemicals used in the United States. It is also used as an extraction solvent, as a solvent for textile cleaning and metal degreasing, in certain adhesives, and as a component in fumigants for upholstery, carpets, and grain.
ChEBI: 1,2-dichloroethane is a member of the class of chloroethanes substituted by two chloro groups at positions 1 and 2. It has a role as a non-polar solvent, a hepatotoxic agent and a mutagen.
Ethylene Dichloride is a clear colorless liquid with a pleasant chloroform-like smell that emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid when heated to decomposition. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Density 10.4 lb/gal. It is primarily used to produce vinyl chloride. Inhalation exposure to this substance induces respiratory distress, nausea and vomiting and affects the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. It is mutagenic in animals and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. (NCI05)