CHLORINATION OF ETHYLENE

The direct addition of chlorine to ethylene produces ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane). Ethylene dichloride is the main precursor for vinyl chloride, which is an important monomer for polyvinyl chloride plastics and resins. Other uses of ethylene dichloride include its formulation with tetraethyl and tetramethyl lead solutions as a lead scavenger, as a degreasing agent, and as an intermediate in the synthesis of many ethylene derivatives.

The reaction of ethylene with hydrogen chloride, on the other hand, produces ethyl chloride. This compound is a small-volume chemical with diversified uses (alkylating agent, refrigerant, solvent). Ethylene reactsalso with hypochlorous acid, yielding ethylene chlorohydrin:

Ethylene chlorohydrin via this route was previously used for producing ethylene oxide through an epoxidation step. Currently, the catalytic oxychlorination route (the Teijin process discussed earlier in this chapter) is an alternative for producing ethylene glycol where ethylene chlorohydrin is an intermediate. In organic synthesis, ethylene chlorohydrin is a useful agent for introducing the ethylhydroxy group. It is also used as a solvent for cellulose acetate.