ABSTRACT
The original route for the manufacture of carbon tetrachloride was by the chlorination of carbon disulphide. High yields of carbon tetrachloride can be achieved by recyling and using an excess of chlorine. Residues from chlorinated processes and chlorinated hydrocarbons are being increasingly used as a source of carbon tetrachloride in order to recover the expensive chlorine molecule. Carbon disulphide is dissolved in a solution of carbon tetrachloride containing ferrous or ferric chloride as a catalyst and fed into a reactor maintained at a temperature of 30–80°C by a cooling jacket. Carbon tetrachloride and excess carbon disulphide are obtained as a distillate overhead and recycled to the chlorinator. Carbon tetrachloride is used as a speciality solvent and foam-blowing agent. Carbon tetrachloride vapour is toxic and at low concentrations is irritating to eyes, nose and throat. Strict conditions apply to the filling, storage, handling, transportation and labelling of carbon tetrachloride.
