Dichlorocarbonyl

Legality: CWC Schedule 3

CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, STOCKPILING AND USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION

ANNEX ON CHEMICALS

A. GUIDELINES FOR SCHEDULES OF CHEMICALS

Guidelines for Schedule 3

The following criteria shall be taken into account in considering whether a toxic chemical or precursor, not listed in other Schedules, should be included in Schedule 3:

(a) It has been produced, stockpiled or used as a chemical weapon;

(b) It poses otherwise a risk to the object and purpose of this Convention because it possesses such lethal or incapacitating toxicity as well as other properties that might enable it to be used as a chemical weapon;

(c) It poses a risk to the object and purpose of this Convention by virtue of its importance in the production of one or more chemicals listed in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2, part B;

(d) It may be produced in large commercial quantities for purposes not prohibited under this Convention.

Production of this substance may be illegal in some jurisdictions under certain circumstances. Bottom line: Do not produce this chemical without checking to make sure that you may do so legally.

 

 

Dichlorocarbonyl
CWC LIST I/II/III SUBSTANCE

Chemical formula	COCl2
OTP appearance	colorless gas
Molar Mass(g/mol)	98.92
Density(g/cc)	.004248
Melting Point(°C)	-118
Boiling Point(°C)	8.3
Solubility in water(g/L)	decomp (CO2 + 2 HCl)
Immediate Danger to Life and Health	2ppm
NFPA 704	0 4 1

Uses

Other

• Key compound for the production of polycarbonate and other polymer products
• Key compound for one method of production of acetic anhydride
• Combined with water it produces pure carbon dioxide and dry hydrogen chloride
• Production of urea from ammonia
• Extremely efficient chlorinator

Natural occurrence

• Essentially none. Combustion of large quantities of organochlorine compounds could produce minute natural amounts.

Hazards

Exposure levels

• IDLH from inhalation 2ppm
• EEGL 1hr: 200ppb
• EEGL 24hr: 20ppb

Precautions

On contact with water, dichlorocarbonyl decomposes into carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid, both of which are also dangerous compounds, but not nearly on the ppm/ppb scale of dichlorocarbonyl. Liberal wetting of connections and joints, and/or steamy conditions when working with this compound may help

Treatment

Treatment is supportive, primarily for pulmonary edema (intubation, bronchodialators).

Production

Synthesis

Combine chlorine gas and carbon monoxide gas in 1:1 molarity over an activated carbon surface. N.B. Keep surface cool because the reaction is exothermic and over 200°C dichlorocarbonyl breaks down into its component parts

Cl₂ + CO

{C

→

50-150 °C}

COCl₂ΔH=-107.6

Storage

• Generally: DO NOT STORE
• Keep absolutely dry to prevent decomposition into hydrochloric acid
• Glass, Monel, Tantalum containers ok
• Steel and other metal containers ok as long as absolutely dry

Disposal

Neutralize with aqueous sodium bicarbonate or ammonia.