CHLORINATION OF PROPANE (Production of Perchloroethylene)

Chlorination of propane with chlorine at 480–640°C yields a mixture of perchloroethylene (Perchlor) and carbon tetrachloride:

Carbon tetrachloride is usually recycled to produce more perchloroethylene:

Perchlor may also be produced from ethylene dichloride (1,2- dichloroethane) through an oxychlorination-oxyhydrochlorination process. Trichloroethylene (trichlor) is coproduced. Perchlor and trichlor are used as metal degreasing agents and as solvents in dry cleaning. Perchlor is also used as a cleaning and drying agent for electronic equipment and as a fumigant.