A chloroalkane that is ethane in which one or more of the hydrogens is replaced by chlorine.
| Member | Definition | Role |
|---|
| 1,1,1-trichloroethane | A member of the class of chloroethanes carrying three chloro substituents at position 1. | 1,1,1-trichloroethane |
| 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane | | 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane |
| 1,1,2-trichloroethane | A member of the class of chloroethanes that is ethane substituted by chloro groups at positions 1, 1 and 2. | 1,1,2-trichloroethane |
| 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane | A member of the class of chloroethanes that is ethane substituted by chloro groups at positions 1, 1, 2 and 2. | 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane |
| ethyl chloride | The simplest and least toxic member of the class of chloroethanes, that is ethane in which a single hydrogen is substituted by a chlorine. A colourless gas at room temperature and pressure (boiling point 12degreeC), it is used as a mild topical anaesthetic to numb the skin prior to ear piercing, skin biopsies, etc., and is also used in the treatment of sports injuries. It was formerly used in the production of tetraethyllead. | chloroethane |
| ethylene dichloride | A member of the class of chloroethanes substituted by two chloro groups at positions 1 and 2. | 1,2-dichloroethane |
| hexachloroethane | A member of the class of chloroethanes that is ethane in which all the hydrogens are replaced by chloro groups. | hexachloroethane |
| pentachloroethane | A member of the class of chloroethanes that is ethane in which five of the six hydrogens are replaced by chlorines. A non-flammable, high-boiling liquid (b.p. 161-162degreeC) with relative density 1.67 and an odour resembling that of chloroform, it is used as a solvent for oil and grease, in metal cleaning, and in the separation of coal from impurities. | pentachloroethane |