Methylene chloride (Di chloromethane)

Methylene chloride (Di chloromethane)

Preparation

Methylene chloride is prepared by the following methods

1) Reduction of chloroform

a) Reduction of chloroform in the presence of Zn + HCl gives methylene chloride.

b) Reduction of chloroform using H2/Ni

2) Chlorination of methane

Chlorination of methane gives methylene chloride

Uses of methylene chloride

Methylene chloride is used as

i. aerosol spray propellant

ii. solvent in paint remover

iii. process solvent in the manufacture of drugs

iv. a metal cleaning solvent