PERCHLORETHYLENE Meaning and
Definition
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Perchlorethylene, commonly abbreviated as PCE, is a chemical compound that belongs to the family of chlorocarbons. It is a colourless, nonflammable liquid with a sweet odor similar to ether. Perchlorethylene is primarily used as a powerful solvent in various industries, including dry cleaning, metal degreasing, and textile processing.
In dry cleaning, perchlorethylene serves as the main cleaning agent due to its excellent ability to dissolve greases, oils, and stains, making it highly effective in removing dirt and grime from fabrics without causing damage. The compound's low boiling point allows it to evaporate quickly from clothing without leaving behind any residue.
Its remarkable degreasing properties also make perchlorethylene widely used for metal degreasing operations, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. It effectively removes contaminants from metal surfaces without corroding or affecting the metal itself.
Perchlorethylene is known for its stability and non-reactivity with most common materials, enhancing its safety and reliability in industrial applications. However, prolonged exposure to this solvent can be harmful to human health, as it is considered a potential carcinogen and poses risks for the respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems. Adequate protective measures, including proper ventilation and personal protective equipment, are crucial when handling perchlorethylene to minimize the associated health risks.
Overall, perchlorethylene's versatile solvency characteristics have made it an essential compound in industrial processes where powerful and reliable cleaning or degreasing actions are required.
Common Misspellings for PERCHLORETHYLENE
- oerchlorethylene
- lerchlorethylene
- -erchlorethylene
- 0erchlorethylene
- pwrchlorethylene
- psrchlorethylene
- pdrchlorethylene
- prrchlorethylene
- p4rchlorethylene
- p3rchlorethylene
- peechlorethylene
- pedchlorethylene
- pefchlorethylene
- petchlorethylene
- pe5chlorethylene
- pe4chlorethylene
- perxhlorethylene
- pervhlorethylene
- perfhlorethylene
- perdhlorethylene
Etymology of PERCHLORETHYLENE
The word "perchlorethylene" is derived from the combination of several parts.
The prefix "per-" in organic chemistry refers to the presence of multiple substituents or functional groups. It indicates that the compound contains a maximum number of atoms of a particular element. In this case, "per-" denotes the maximum number of chlorine atoms.
The main part of the word, "chloroethylene", is a combination of the element "chloro" and the term "ethylene". "Chloro" is derived from the Greek word "chloros", meaning greenish-yellow, and indicates the presence of chlorine atoms in a compound. "Ethylene" comes from the Greek word "ethylenē", representing a two-carbon molecule with a double bond between them. Ethylene is a common organic compound used as a precursor in the synthesis of many chemicals.
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