Substance profile
Dichloromethane
Dichloromethane is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor, like chloroform.
01 · Identification
What Dichloromethane is
Dichloromethane is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor, like chloroform. It boils at 39.8 °C, melts at -95 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Dichloromethane
- methylene chloride
- DCM
- CH2Cl2
- MeCl2
- Aerothene Mm
- F 30
- F 30 (Chlorocarbon)
- Freon 30
- Hcc 30
- Metaclen
- Methane Dichloride
- Methylene Bichloride
- Methylene Dichloride
- Narkotil
- R 30
- Khladon 30
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>. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Dichloromethane 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 | 39.75 °C (103.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 40 °C (104 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 39.78 °C (103.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -95 °C (-139 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.72 °C (-142.1 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.3255 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.33 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 1.322 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether, dimethylformamide | HSDB | |
| In water, 13,200 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 13,000 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 350 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 435 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 440 mmHg | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Autoignition temperature | 556.11 °C (1033 °F) | HSDB | |
| 640 °C (1184 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 605 °C (1121 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 13 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 15.5 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 23 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 66.4 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 2.93 (air = 1) | Air = 1.02 | HSDB |
| 2.93 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 2.9 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 205-307 ppm | HSDB | |
| 2.14x10+2 ppm (odor recognition in air; chemically pure sample) | HSDB | ||
| Odor thresholds: low= 540 mg/cu m; high= 2160 mg/cu m. | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235.05 °C (455.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Liquid methylene chloride will attack 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 Dichloromethane
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. Heat sensitive. Store under inert gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Mixtures of /dinitrogen/ tetraoxide with ... dichloromethane ... are explosive when subjected to shock of 25 g TNT equiv or less.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
DICHLOROMETHANE reacts vigorously with active metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium, and with strong bases such as potassium tert-butoxide. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong caustics and chemically active metals such as aluminum or magnesium powders. The liquid will attack some forms of plastic, rubber and coatings. This compound reacts with sodium-potassium alloy, (potassium hydrogen + N-methyl-N-nitrosurea), nitrogen tetraoxide and liquid oxygen. It also reacts with titanium. On contact with water it corrodes iron, some stainless steels, copper and nickel. It is incompatible with alkali metals. It is incompatible with amines, zinc and alloys of aluminum, magnesium and zinc. This compound is liable to explode when mixed with dinitrogen pentaoxide or nitric acid. Mixtures of this compound in air with methanol vapor are flammable. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Dichloromethane in the storage compatibility matrix →
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