Substance profile
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride is a liquid with a sweet odor.
01 · Identification
What Carbon tetrachloride is
Carbon tetrachloride is a liquid with a sweet odor. Its molecular formula is CCl4 and its molecular weight is 153.8 g/mol. It boils at 76.7 °C, melts at -22.2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Carbon tetrachloride
- tetrachloromethane
- carbon tet
- CCl4
- Benzinoform
- Carbon Chloride
- Carbon Chloride (Ccl4)
- Carbona
- Cc M0
- Ent 27164
- Ent 4,705
- Fasciolin
- Flukoids
- Freon® 10
- Halon 1040
- Halon® 104
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
| H420 | Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P308, P310, P313, P314, P330, P352, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Carbon tetrachloride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 76.7 °C (170.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 76.67 °C (170 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 76.72 °C (170.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -22.2 °C (-8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -22.78 °C (-9 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.59 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.594 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.59 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, petroleum ether, oils | HSDB | |
| In water, 793 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 1160 mg/L at 25 °C, 800 mg/L at 20 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 91 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 91 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 115 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Liquid | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 5.3 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Odor recognition in air: 2.14X10 ppm (chemically pure) | HSDB | |
| In water: reduction of amenities: odor threshold 50 mg/L | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 140.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 283.2 °C (541.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Liquid carbon tetrachloride attacks some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Carbon tetrachloride
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE is a commonly used liquid in fire extinguishers to combat small fires. It has no flash point, it is not flammable. However, when heated to decomposition, it will emit fumes of extremely toxic phosgene and of hydrogen chloride. Forms explosive mixtures with chlorine trifluoride, calcium hypochlorite, decaborane, dinitrogen tetraoxide, fluorine. Forms impact-sensitive explosive mixtures with particles of many metals: lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, zinc, aluminum, barium. Vigorous exothermic reaction with allyl alcohol, boron trifluoride, diborane, disilane, aluminum chloride, dibenzoyl peroxide, potassium tert-butoxide, liquid oxygen, zirconium. [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 666]. Potentially dangerous reaction with dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide in presence of iron [Cardillo, P. et al., Ann. Chim. (Rome), 1984, 74, p. 129].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Carbon tetrachloride in the storage compatibility matrix →
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