Dichloromethane is an halogenated hydrocarbon compound with the chemical formula CH2Cl3. Let us discuss different types of uses of this compound.
Dichloromethane is used in various fields that are written below in this article.
- Paint industries
- Leather processing
- Cleaning agents in households
- Plasticizer
- Decaffeination
- Metal Cleaning
- Wood industries
- Food Industries
- Other uses
In this following article we are going to learn some uses and facts about dichloromethane.
Paint Industries
- CH2Cl3 is mainly used for removing paint from the surface that is known as paint stripper. It is used for fast paint remover.
- DCM is a flammable, strong odorous compound and also used in the removal of varnish.
Leather processing
- In leather processing CH2Cl3 is used as a solvent for the tanning process.This process is used for the preservation of leather.
- DCM is a first process for making the leather durable and it destroys all the microorganisms inside the skin of leather and after that leather processing is being started.
Cleaning agents in households
- CH2Cl3 products are used in the cleaning of mirrors, glass windows, and other glass related products.
- DCM is used during laundry for antiseptic sprays and all purpose glues which fill the cracks.
Plasticizers
- DCM is used in the formation of electronic circuits,electrical meters in which light sensitive material is used for coating which is known as photoresist coating. This type of coating is used for the solvents that’s why it is used for CH2Cl3.
- DCM is helpful in manufacturing of polycarbonates ,which is a type of thermoplastic polymer.
Decaffeination
- DCM is used for decaffeination of coffee for the extraction of solvent. Coffee is soluble in CH2Cl3, When coffee dissolves in this solution caffeine is removed from it.
- DCM is also used for the extraction of green tea leaves.
Metal cleaning
- DCM is widely used in metal industries in which metal cleaning is very important after that coating is finished.
- DCM removes oil, grease, and dirt from the surface of the metal. This process is called metal degreasing or vapor degreasing solvent.
Wood industries
- DCM is used in the extraction from the wood in which it extracts wex, resins, legumes and other sterols.
- Dichloromethane is helpful in removing epoxy resin and formaldehyde resin.
Food industries
DCM is used in food industries by using this compound to enhance the flavor of the food and also it is used in preservation.
Other uses
- Dichloromethane is commercially present as a gas in refrigerators for home uses; it is also helpful in cold storage.
- Dichloromethane in printing industries remove the ink inside the printers.
- Dichloromethane is used as pesticides.
- Dichloromethane is present in the form of aerosol in which it is used as hair sprays.
Conclusion
Dichloromethane is an organic compound . It is a colorless, odorous liquid and the molecular weight of this compound is 84.93g/mol. It is not soluble in water but soluble in other organic compounds and it is carcinogen in nature and is used in pharmaceutical industries.
Hi, I’m Aditi Pareek. I have done M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry. I have worked on a project like Nanoparticles that is used in antibacterial, antimicrobial, and other biological uses. I believe that learning is a very innovative way to help others to grow up in every aspect of life.