Carbon tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride (CCI₄), colorless liquid with a distinctive smell, used mainly as a solvent. It dissolves fats and oils, and can be used as a dry-cleaning fluid. Widely used in industry to dissolve resins, rubber, and many other organic chemicals, it must be handled carefully. It is not inflammable, but forms highly poisonous substances when heated in a flame. Breathing the fumes over a long period can itself cause kidney and liver damage, so carbon tetrachloride should be used only in well-ventilated places. Carbon tetrachlo-ride is manufactured by passing chlorine gas over red-hot coke.