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1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene is a synthetic chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon classified by its molecular structure: a benzene ring substituted with four chlorine atoms in the 1,2,3,4-positions. Molecular formula stands at C6H2Cl4, giving it a molecular weight of 215.89 grams per mole. As a member of the polychlorinated benzene family, it draws attention both in industrial synthesis and environmental health circles. Its HS Code falls under 290369, specific for chlorinated benzenes, allowing quick customs and trade identification for importers and exporters.
In room temperature, 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene takes the appearance of white to pale yellow solid flakes or powder, depending on purity and handling. Some producers also offer it in granular or crystalline forms. In hand, it feels dry and slightly greasy, and contact should be minimized due to safety concerns. This solid material crystals at typical ambient conditions, shifting only to liquid form when reaching its melting point, documented at about 131-133°C. Its density centers around 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter, surpassing that of water, which means it sinks in most common solvents.
Water solubility stays low, less than 1 mg/liter, making it practically insoluble under ordinary environmental circumstances. Organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, and chlorinated hydrocarbons invite it into solution more readily. For industrial preparations or laboratory work, solutions are usually prepared with volatile organics, stored in well-sealed glass containers.
Four chlorine atoms create distinct chemical behavior. Each substitution on the benzene ring reduces reactivity compared with unsubstituted benzene, making this compound stable against spontaneous combustion, but it isn’t immune to photodegradation or strong oxidizers. Chlorine atoms increase hydrophobicity and persistence, two features that explain its slow environmental breakdown and potential accumulation in soil or sediments. As a raw material, 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene finds downstream uses in making specialty pesticides, dyes, and as an intermediate in organic syntheses, especially within industries that need precise chlorination patterns for specific molecular architecture.
Working with 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene means recognizing real safety challenges. Inhalation of dust or fumes right out of the bag can irritate the respiratory tract, while direct skin or eye contact causes irritation or even burns if exposure lasts. Even though natural body defenses may block some absorption, chronic interaction risks cumulative toxic effects. Some evidence links polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon exposure to endocrine disruption and other long-term health issues. The compound does not easily degrade in nature, so improper waste management results in persistent contamination. Handling calls for gloves made of nitrile, goggles, stable ventilation, and if possible, sealed processes that reduce airborne dust. Fire risk stays moderate, but toxic fumes, including hydrochloric acid and phosgene, can evolve if the substance burns in open air, increasing the disaster potential in manufacturing or storage mishaps. Always consult the Material Safety Data Sheet before new applications, and use local exhaust or fume hoods for any laboratory use.
Suppliers usually list purity grades, typically above 98% for research or synthesis, with trace contaminants such as other chlorobenzenes or minor solvents. Full certificates of analysis provide reassurance regarding batch-to-batch consistency. Storage warrants cool, dry, ventilated conditions, isolated from incompatible organics or strong oxidizing agents. Long shelf life appeals to large-scale factories and smaller R&D labs alike who need steady raw material supply without short-term spoilage. Demand comes from chemical processing plants, universities, contract research organizations, and occasionally specialty commercial labs. Spec sheets or technical data, provided by honest distributors, often include precise density, melting point, and impurity profile, encouraging transparency and safer decision-making down the supply chain.
Regulatory authorities in regions like Europe, North America, or East Asia keep a close watch on persistent organic pollutants like 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene due to potential for bioaccumulation in wildlife and presence in hazardous waste streams. Key protocols demand closed-loop handling, proper disposal in licensed hazardous waste incineration, and robust spill response to limit spread beyond factory walls. Technologies for advanced containment, improved personal protective equipment, and continuous air or soil monitoring make a positive difference. Industry-wide agreement on transparency, from labeling to end-of-life treatment, helps prevent careless dumping or accidental exposure. Factories committed to lower emission standards keep public safety in mind, while ongoing research into chlorinated aromatic substitutes opens new routes for safer raw materials and green chemistry.
