TETRACHLOROETHYLENE Meaning and
Definition
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Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or PERC, is a chemical compound primarily used as a solvent for dry cleaning, metal degreasing, and as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. With the chemical formula C2Cl4, it consists of two carbon atoms and four chlorine atoms arranged in a linear structure.
This colorless liquid has a sweet, ether-like odor and is nonflammable. It is highly stable and does not easily break down in the environment, making it a persistent organic pollutant (POP). Tetrachloroethylene is primarily manufactured through the chlorination of ethylene. It is widely used in the dry cleaning industry due to its excellent ability to dissolve oily substances, grease, and dirt from fabrics.
In addition to its industrial uses, tetrachloroethylene has been used as a degreaser for metal parts, a building block in the production of fluorocarbons, and as an ingredient in some consumer products such as spot removers, paint strippers, and aerosol cleaners.
Despite its effectiveness as a solvent, tetrachloroethylene poses potential health risks. Prolonged or repeated exposure to this chemical can cause harmful effects on the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. It may also cause skin irritation, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory distress. Due to these health concerns, safer alternatives to tetrachloroethylene are being sought, and many countries have implemented regulations to reduce its use and emissions.
Common Misspellings for TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
- retrachloroethylene
- fetrachloroethylene
- getrachloroethylene
- yetrachloroethylene
- 6etrachloroethylene
- 5etrachloroethylene
- twtrachloroethylene
- tstrachloroethylene
- tdtrachloroethylene
- trtrachloroethylene
- t4trachloroethylene
- t3trachloroethylene
- terrachloroethylene
- tefrachloroethylene
- tegrachloroethylene
- teyrachloroethylene
- te6rachloroethylene
- te5rachloroethylene
- teteachloroethylene
Etymology of TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
The word "tetrachloroethylene" is derived from combining multiple components:
1. "Tetra-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "tétras", meaning four. It indicates the presence of four atoms or groups in a compound.
2. "Chloro-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "khlōrós", meaning greenish-yellow. It signifies the presence of chlorine atoms in a compound.
3. "Ethyl" refers to the ethyl group, which is derived from ethane (a two-carbon hydrocarbon) by replacing one hydrogen atom with an ethyl substituent.
4. "-ene" is a suffix used in organic chemistry to denote unsaturated hydrocarbons with double bonds between carbon atoms.
Similar spelling words for TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
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