Carbon Tetrachloride

Definition

Carbon tetrachloride, also known as tetrachloromethane, is a colorless, dense, and nonflammable liquid chemical compound with the chemical formula CCl4. It is primarily used in the context of the properties of alkanes, as it shares some structural and physical similarities with these saturated hydrocarbons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Carbon tetrachloride is a dense liquid, with a density of 1.59 g/cm³, making it significantly heavier than water.
2. It is a highly stable and unreactive compound due to the strength of the carbon-halogen bonds, which contributes to its use in various applications.
3. Carbon tetrachloride was once widely used as a dry cleaning solvent and as a fire extinguishing agent, but its use has been largely phased out due to health and environmental concerns.
4. The tetrahedral molecular structure of carbon tetrachloride, with four chlorine atoms bonded to a central carbon atom, is a characteristic feature of this compound.
5. As an alkane derivative, carbon tetrachloride shares some physical properties with alkanes, such as being a nonpolar, non-conducting, and relatively inert substance.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between the molecular structure of carbon tetrachloride and its physical properties.
  • The tetrahedral molecular structure of carbon tetrachloride, with four chlorine atoms bonded to a central carbon atom, contributes to its physical properties. The strong carbon-chlorine bonds and the symmetrical arrangement of the chlorine atoms result in a highly stable and unreactive compound. Additionally, the high density of carbon tetrachloride (1.59 g/cm³) is a direct consequence of its molecular structure, as the heavy chlorine atoms contribute significantly to the overall mass of the molecule.
• Discuss the historical use and environmental concerns associated with carbon tetrachloride.
  • Carbon tetrachloride was once widely used as a dry cleaning solvent and as a fire extinguishing agent due to its stability and non-flammable nature. However, its use has been largely phased out in recent decades due to health and environmental concerns. Carbon tetrachloride is known to be harmful to the environment, as it can deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. It is also considered a potential carcinogen, leading to its restricted use and the development of safer alternatives for various applications.
• Analyze the similarities and differences between carbon tetrachloride and alkanes in the context of their physical and chemical properties.
  • As an alkane derivative, carbon tetrachloride shares some physical properties with alkanes, such as being a nonpolar, non-conducting, and relatively inert substance. However, the presence of four chlorine atoms instead of hydrogen atoms in the molecular structure of carbon tetrachloride introduces significant differences. The high density, stability, and unreactivity of carbon tetrachloride are distinct from the typical properties of alkanes, which are generally less dense, more reactive, and have a lower boiling point. These differences arise from the strong carbon-halogen bonds and the unique tetrahedral arrangement of the chlorine atoms in the carbon tetrachloride molecule, which contribute to its distinct physical and chemical characteristics compared to simple alkanes.

Related terms

Alkanes: Alkanes are a class of saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Halogenation: Halogenation is the process of introducing one or more halogen atoms (such as chlorine, bromine, or iodine) into a molecule, often resulting in the formation of halogenated compounds.

Density: Density is a measure of the mass per unit volume of a substance, and it is an important physical property that can be used to distinguish different materials.