Tetrabromoethane

1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane, or simply tetrabromoethane (TBE), is a halogenated hydrocarbon, chemical formula C₂H₂Br₄. Although three bromine atoms may bind to one of the carbon atoms creating 1,1,1,2-tetrabromoethane this is not thermodynamically favorable, so in practice tetrabromoethane is equal to 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane, where each carbon atom binds two bromine atoms.

Tetrabromoethane

Seletal formula of tetrabromoethane
Stereo, skeletal formula of tetrabromoethane with all explicit hydrogens added
Ball and stick model of tetrabromoethane Spacefill model of tetrabromoethane
Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane[1]
Other names Acetylene tetrabromide[2] Muthmann's liquid[3] Tetrabromoacetylene[2] Symmetrical tetrabromoethane[2]
Identifiers
CAS Number	79-27-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Abbreviations	TBE[2]
Beilstein Reference	1098321
ChemSpider	6339 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.083
EC Number	201-191-5
MeSH	1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane
PubChem CID	6588
RTECS number	KI8225000
UNII	V00GKC584O Y
UN number	2504
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1026083
InChI InChI=1S/C2H2Br4/c3-1(4)2(5)6/h1-2H N Key: QXSZNDIIPUOQMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
SMILES BrC(Br)C(Br)Br
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H2Br4
Molar mass	345.654 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colourless liquid
Density	2.967 g mL−1
Melting point	−1.0 °C; 30.3 °F; 272.2 K
Boiling point	243.6 °C; 470.4 °F; 516.7 K
Solubility in water	630 mg L−1 (at 20 °C)
Vapor pressure	10 Pa (at 20 °C)
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−123.4·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.637
Thermochemistry
Heat capacity (C)	165.7 J K−1 mol−1
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H319, H330, H412
Precautionary statements	P260, P273, P284, P305+P351+P338, P310
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 1 1
Flash point	97 °C (207 °F; 370 K)
Autoignition temperature	335 °C (635 °F; 608 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	1.2 g kg−1 (oral, rat)[4] 5.25 g kg−1 (dermal, rat) 0.4 g/kg (oral, guinea pig)[4] 0.4 g/kg (oral, rabbit)[4] 0.269 g/kg (oral, mouse)[4]
LC50 (median concentration)	38 ppm (rat, 4 hr)[4]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 1 ppm (14 mg/m3)[2]
REL (Recommended)	None established[2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	8 ppm[2]
Safety data sheet (SDS)	hells-confetti.com
Related compounds
Related alkanes	Dibromomethane Bromoform Tetrabromomethane 1,1-Dibromoethane 1,2-Dibromoethane 1,2-Dibromopropane 1,3-Dibromopropane 1,2,3-Tribromopropane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Uses

It has an unusually high density for an organic compound, near 3 g/mL, due largely to the four bromine atoms.^[5] TBE is a liquid at room temperature, and is used to separate mineral ores from its supporting rock by means of preferential flotation. Quartz, feldspar, calcite, dolomite and other minerals with low density will float in TBE, while minerals such as sphalerite, galena and pyrite will sink. A related compound, bromoform, is also sometimes used in these applications, however, TBE is more practical because of its wider liquid range and lower vapor pressure.^[5]

Safety

Permissible exposure limit is 1 ppm.^[6] Cases of acute TBE poisoning are known as well.^[7]