Chloromethane

Chapter-1 Introduction
Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) is a chemical compound of the group of organic
compounds called haloalkanes. It was once widely used as a refrigerant. It is a
colorless gas with a very mild odor and sweet taste at ordinary temperature and
pressure.
Chloromethane is both an anthropogenic and naturally occurring chemical.
Anthropogenic sources include industrial production, polyvinyl chloride burning, and
wood burning; natural sources include the oceans, microbial fermentation, and
biomass fires (e.g., forest fires, grass fires).millions of kilograms of methyl chloride
are produced naturally every day, primarily in the oceans.

Figure 1.1 Molecule of CH3Cl

The Chloromethane are Methyl Chloride, Methylene Chloride, Chloroform and
Carbon Tetrachloride. They are classified under Halogenated Hydrocarbon. These
products find broad application not only as important chemical intermediates but also
as solvents development.

1.2 History
The existence of chloromethane compounds has been known for many years;
probably chloroform was the first chloromethane to be produced in the laboratory.
History indicates that three independent investigation almost simultaneously isolated
chloroform. Samuel Guthrie in the United States, J.von Liebig in Germany, and
E.soubeiran in France announced the discovery of the chloroform molecule in 1831.

Impure methyl chloride was produced in the laboratory as early as 1835 by Dumas
and Peligot, who heated wood spirit, ie, crude methyl alcohol, with a mixture of
sulfuric acid and common salt. It was later made by Schiff and by Walker and Johnson
by the reaction of phosphorous chlorides with methyl alcohol.
One of the first preparations of pure methyl chloride was probably that of groves in
1874.Groves passed hydrogen chloride into a boiling solution of zinc chloride in
twice its weight of wood spirit. Berthelot obtained the compound by chlorinating
methane.Regnault is credited with the first isolation of carbon tetrachloride in 1839 by
chlorinating chloroform. In 1840 he produced methylene chloride by similarly
chlorinating methyl chloride.
The first commercial use of any of the chloromethane was probably that of
chloroform when sir James Simpson of Scotland first used it as an anesthetic in
1847.It was used extensively for surgery for nearly 20 years, virtually displacing
ether, but after a long record of accidents from its use, it lost favor with surgeons and
they again turned to use of ether. Today chloromethane are extensively used in
industries and new uses continue to be developed.

CHAPTER-2 LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 Physical Properties

Chloromethane, a colorless gas, is the simplest haloalkane having molecular weight
50.49. It is an extremely flammable gas with a mildly sweet odor. Chloromethane is
the most abundant organohalogen, anthropogenic or natural, in the atmosphere.

Table 2.1 Physical Properties of Chloromethane

Physical state
Color
Solid phase: Melting point(C)
Latent heat of fusion (1,013 bar,

Gas
Colorless
-97.72
127.377

at melting point)(kJ/kg)
Liquid phase: Boiling point(C)
Latent heat of vaporization (1.013
bar at boiling point) (kJ/kg)
Gas density (1.013 bar at boiling point)
kg/m3
Specific gravity
Compressibility Factor (Z) (1.013
bar and 15 C)
Thermal conductivity (1.013 bar

-23.73
431.444
2.55
1.8
0.985
9.412

and 0 C)mW/(m.K)
Critical temperature(C)
Critical pressure (bar)
Solubility in water (1.013 bar and 15 C)
(vol/vol)

143.1
67.59
3.17

2.2 Chemical Properties

Chloromethane is stable in nature. It may react violently or explosively with
interhalogens, magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium or their alloys. It is incompatible
with natural rubber and neoprene composites, but does not attack PVA.It is highly
flammable. It May decompose upon exposure to moist air or water.
Chemical Properties of Chloromethane
Coordination geometry
Tetragonal
Molecular shape
Tetrahedron
Standard molar entropy
234.36 J K1 mol1
Standard enthalpy of formation
83.68 kJ mol1
Standard enthalpy of combustion
763.5 kJ mol1
Dry methyl chloride in the absence of air does not decompose at an appreciable rate at
temperature approaching 400C, even in contact with many metals. Methyl chloride is
decomposed by an open flame to give hydrogen chloride and carbon dioxide, with
possible formation of small amounts of carbon monoxide and phosgene.

2.3 Manufacturers of Chloromethane and Market Survey

Gujarat alkalis and chemical ltd,

Vadodara, Gujarat.

Triveni chemicals,
Vapi, Gujarat.

Adarsh chemicals,
Chennai, Tamilnadu.

Shree tridev chemicals,

Ankleshwar, Gujarat.

Chemplast sanmar ltd,

Chennai, Tamilnadu.

Dow chemical company,

Texas, United States

Figure 2.1 World Consumption of Methyl Chloride

The market value of chloromethane was estimated to be $1,401 million in
2012 and is projected to grow with a CAGR of about 4.2% from 2013 to 2018.
R&D will be a key part of the chloromethane market, as newer applications
can be a vital driver of the overall market.
Asia-Pacific is the largest region, both in terms of volume and value, followed
by North America and Europe. India, China, Japan, U.S., Germany, and Russia
are expected to persist as successful markets. The key players in the global
Chloromethane Market are Dow Chemical (U.S.), AkzoNobel N.V. (The
Netherlands), Occidental Chemical Corporation (U.S.), Ineos (Switzerland),
Solvay S.A. (Belgium), Kem One (France), Shin-Etsu (Japan), Gujarat
Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd. (India), and Tokuyama Corporation (Japan).