CAS Number: 75-09-2
Synonyms: methylene bichloride, methylene dichloride, methylene chloride
Brief Description
This colorless, volatile liquid has a moderately sweet aroma and is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with water, it is miscible with many organic solvents. Its volatility and ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds makes it a useful solvent for many chemical processes. Concerns about its health effects have led to a search for alternatives in many of these applications. It is widely used as a paint striper and a degreaser.
In the food industry, it has been used to decaffeinate coffee and tea as well as to prepare extracts of hops and other flavorings. Its volatility has led to its use as an aerosol spray propellant and as a blowing agent for polyurethane foams.