Main-Product

The Chemical Compound 1,2-Dichloroethane, commonly known as Ethylene Dichloride (EDC), is a Chlorinated Hydrocarbon with the Chemical Formula CH₂Cl-CH₂Cl. It is a colourless Liquid with a Chloroform-like odour. The most common use of 1,2-Dichloroethane is in the Production of Vinyl Chloride.

1,2-Dichloroethane Production is primarily achieved through the Iron(III) Chloride-catalysed Reaction of Ethylene and Chlorine:

H₂C=CH₂ (g) + Cl₂ (g) → ClC₂H₄Cl (l) (ΔH^⊖_r = −218 kJ/mol)

1,2-Dichloroethane is also generated by the Copper(II) Chloride-catalysed Oxychlorination of Ethylene:

H₂C=CH₂ + 2 HCl + 1/2 O₂ → ClC₂H₄Cl + H₂O

Approximately 95% of the World's Production of 1,2-Dichloroethane is used in the Production of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM, Chloroethene) with Hydrogen Chloride as a Byproduct. VCM is the precursor to Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

ClC₂H₄Cl → H₂C=CHCl + HCl

The Hydrogen Chloride can be re-used in the Production of more 1,2-Dichloroethane via the Oxychlorination route described above.

Liquid