Dichloromethane

Dichloromethane, or methylene chloride, is a volatile, colorless chlorinated solvent with the formula CH₂Cl₂. Its strong solvency and low boiling point make it useful in extraction, cleaning, and industrial processing.

Molecular polarity: The uneven distribution of electrical charge across a molecule. Dichloromethane is moderately polar, helping it dissolve many organic compounds.
Liquid–liquid extraction: A separation method that distributes compounds between two immiscible liquid phases. Dichloromethane often forms the organic phase used to extract compounds from water.
Occupational exposure: Contact with a chemical or physical hazard during work. Its rapid evaporation can create substantial workplace inhalation exposure.
Chloroform: A volatile chlorinated solvent with the formula CHCl₃. Chloroform is a related solvent with different toxicity and physical properties.
Intermolecular force: An attraction or repulsion between molecules that shapes the properties of substances. These forces help explain dichloromethane’s boiling point and interactions with solutes.
Natural product extraction: The recovery of compounds produced by organisms from biological materials. Dichloromethane has been used to isolate natural products such as plant pigments and oils.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Toxic injury caused by carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin and limiting oxygen delivery. The body can metabolize dichloromethane into carbon monoxide, contributing to poisoning.
1,2-Dichloroethane: A chlorinated hydrocarbon with the formula C₂H₄Cl₂, used chiefly as an industrial chemical intermediate. It is a heavier chlorinated alternative with substantially different industrial uses and hazards.
Boiling point: The temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure. Its low boiling point lets dichloromethane evaporate readily and simplifies solvent removal.
Decaffeination: The removal of caffeine from coffee or tea while retaining much of its flavor. Dichloromethane has served as a solvent in one method of extracting caffeine from coffee.

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