Fact sheet: 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene

From: Public Services and Procurement Canada

Discover a list of a contaminant's important chemical properties, how it will react in the environment, main sources of contamination related, and a brief overview of health and safety issues.

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General information

CAS number

634-90-2

Molecular formula

C6H2Cl4

Formula weight

215.9 g/mol

Family

Chlorobenzenes

Properties (at room temperature where applicable)

Compound properties list
ParameterValueComment
Melting/boiling point55 °CSolid
Relative density0 g/cm3N/A
Vapour pressure0.06 mm HgLow volatility
Vapour density0N/A
Solubility in water3 mg/LLow solubility
Henry's law constant1 x 10-3atm·m3/molModerate volatilization when dissolved
log Koc (Depending on soil or sediment characteristics)3.5 - 6.0*Strong adsorption to organic matter

Environmental behaviour

At 20 0C, 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is a solid with low volatility and low solubility. Once it is dissolved, it is moderately volatile and adsorbs strongly to organic matter. When present in the soil, it volatilizes and dissolves slowly. In the dissolved phase, 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene can reach the water table or drain into a waterway, where it will be diluted before partially volatilizing. Fragments of 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene can also be carried into waterways where they will be deposited at the bottom and slowly dissolve. Once the source has been removed, the adsorbed phase will take a long time to disappear, liberating contamination in either the gaseous or dissolved state. The resulting plumes (gaseous and dissolved) are generally small in size.

Health and safety

In Canada, 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is considered "toxic", as defined under Paragraph 64(a) of CEPA 1999, and has been added to Schedule 1.

Principal resources

1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene is not currently produced or used in its pure form in Canada and there is currently no domestic commercial demand for 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene. Formerly, it was found in dielectric fluids where it was used to top up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) transformers and in dyestuff carriers. These applications have either been discontinued (dye carriers) or are being phased out (dielectric fluids). A possible source of release may include dielectric PCB material still in use. 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene may be generated when organic compounds are burned or exposed to a large source of energy in the presence of a chlorine source.

References

Environment Canada. 2009. CEPA Environmental Registry: Toxic Substances List-Updated Schedule 1 as of December 27, 2006. Environment Canada. (Viewed December 2013)

Environment Canada. 2009. Management of Toxic Substances: Tetrachlorobenzenes (TeCBs). Environment Canada. (Viewed December 2013)

Montgomery, John H. 2007. Groundwater Chemicals, Desk Reference, Fourth Edition, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Florida, U.S.A.

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