About carbon chloride formula
The formula for carbon chloride is CCl4. It is a compound of one carbon atom and four chlorine atoms. It is a colorless liquid that has a sweet odor and is used as a solvent.
It is also known by many other names such as tetrachloromethane, and it is a common reagent in synthetic chemistry. It was formerly widely used in fire extinguishers and as a precursor to refrigerants but has been phased out due to environmental concerns.
CCl4 has a tetrahedral molecular geometry in which the central carbon atom is bonded to four chlorine atoms. The symmetrical structure of the molecule makes CCl4 non-polar and it is soluble in water.
This chemical is stable in the environment and has a residence time of 30-50 years. It is a significant contributor to groundwater depletion in the United States and other parts of the world.
In the human body, it causes centrilobular hepatic necrosis and is metabolized into trichloromethyl. Exposure to high levels of carbon tetrachloride can result in liver damage, including death.
CCl4 has a relatively low surface area to volume ratio which reduces its rate of adsorption to suspended solids and sediments. It is stable in the atmosphere with a Henry’s law constant of 2.76X10-2 atm-cu m/mole. Its main loss mechanism is diffusion to water surfaces. Its half-life in a model river is 4 hrs and in a model lake 5 days. It can be dissolved in water and may enter the food chain via animal and plant consumption.