Chloromethane(CH3Cl) Properties (25 Facts You Should Know)

Chloromethane is an organic compound. Let us discuss some interesting facts about chloromethane.

Chloromethane belongs to organohalogens and is abundantly found in nature. It can also be synthesized in laboratories or industries. Chloromethane can be used as a reagent in many reactions and is mostly used as a methylating agent.

In this article, we will study some of the important properties of chloromethane like chemical formula, viscosity, melting and boiling point, and some reactions.

Chloromethane IUPAC name

The IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) name of chloromethane is chloromethane. It is commonly known as methyl chloride.

Chloromethane chemical formula

The chemical formula of chloromethane is CH3Cl. It contains one carbon atom, three hydrogen atoms, and one chlorine atom. The chlorine and hydrogen atoms are directly attached to the carbon atom.

Chloromethane CAS number

The CAS number (authentic numeric identifier which can contain upto10 digits) of chloromethane is 74-87-3.

Chloromethane ChemSpider ID

The ChemSpider ID (ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database) of chloromethane is 6087.

Chloromethane chemical classification

Chloromethane comes under the category of haloalkanes, where the chlorine atom is attached to the carbon atom via a single bond.

Chloromethane molar mass

The molar mass of chloromethane is 50.49 g/mol.

Chloromethane color

Chloromethane is a colorless gas.

Chloromethane viscosity

The viscosity of chloromethane is different at different temperatures.

TemperatureViscosity
0 °C0.2280 mPa.s
20 °C0.1784 mPa.s
40 °C0.1440 mPa.s
Viscosity of Chloromethane with respect to Temperature

Chloromethane molar density

In the gaseous state, at 0 °C, the molar density of chloromethane is 0.0457 mol/cm3, as the density is 2.3065 g/cm3. In the liquid state, at -23.8 °C, the molar density of chloromethane is 0.0199 mol/cm3, as the density is 1.003 g/cm3.

Chloromethane melting point

The melting point of chloromethane is -97.4 °C (175.8 K) or -143.3 °F.

Chloromethane boiling point

The boiling point of chloromethane is -23.8 °C (249.3 K) or -10.8 °F.

Chloromethane state at room temperature

At room temperature, chloromethane is gas but under pressure it becomes liquid.

Chloromethane covalent bond

Chloromethane contains four covalent bonds. The carbon present in chloromethane, has a valency of four. The three valence electrons are shared with three hydrogen atoms forming three covalent bonds and the remaining one with chlorine forming one covalent bond.

structure
Structure of Chloromethane

Chloromethane covalent radius

The covalent radius of chloromethane cannot be determined as the covalent radius of compounds cannot be determined.

Chloromethane electron configurations

Electron configuration shows the arrangement of electrons in an orbital around the nucleus of an atom. Let us discuss the electronic configuration of chloromethane in detail.

The electronic configuration of carbon is shown as [He] 2s2 2p2, hydrogen is 1s1 and that of chlorine is [Ne] 3s2 3p5.

Chloromethane oxidation state

The oxidation state of carbon in chloromethane is -2. Each of the three hydrogen atoms is in a +1 oxidation state and the chlorine atom is in a -1 oxidation state.

Chloromethane acidity

Chloromethane is acidic in nature. On hydrolysis, it gives methanol and hydrochloric acid.

hydrolysis
Hydrolysis of Chloromethane

Is chloromethane odourless

Chloromethane is mainly odourless.

Is chloromethane paramagnetic

A paramagnetic substance contains unpaired electron(s) and shows low positive susceptibility. Lets us discuss about the paramagnetic behavior of chloromethane.

Chloromethane is not paramagnetic as the magnetic susceptibility is -32.0×10-6 cm3/mol and it is a negative value.

Chloromethane hydrates

Chloromethane exists as a hydrate where two molecules of chloromethane and one molecule of water are present. The molecular formula is C2H8Cl2O.

Chloromethane crystal structure

It is difficult to predict the crystal structure of chloromethane. By X-ray diffraction at an angle of -125°, it is predicted that the carbon-chlorine bond distance is 1.805 Å.

Chloromethane polarity and conductivity

  • Chloromethane is a polar compound. Because of the C‒Cl bond there exists a net dipole and hence making chloromethane a polar compound.
  • Chloromethane is a poor conductor as the degree of dissociation is very low.

Chloromethane reaction with acid

Chloromethane does not react with acids.

Chloromethane reaction with base

Chloromethane reacts with a base. For example, chloromethane reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to give methanol (CH3OH) and sodium chloride (NaCl).

reaction with base
Reaction with Base

Chloromethane reaction with oxide

Chloromethane reacts with oxides. For example, chloromethane reacts with sodium phenoxide to give methyl phenyl ether, this reaction is known as Williamson ether synthesis.

reaction with
Reaction with Oxide

Chloromethane reaction with metal

Chloromethane reacts vigorously with metals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, etc. For example, methyl chloride reacts with sodium to give ethane, this reaction is known as Wurtz reaction.

reaction with metal
Reaction with Metal

Conclusion

Chloromethane is an anthropogenic and flammable gas. It is formerly used as a refrigerants and very less commonly used in consumer products. Chloromethane is also used in the extraction of resins, greases, in the making of methylcellulose.