Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE), is a chlorinated ethylene compound commonly used as a dry cleaning and degreasing solvent.
[1] It shows IR transparency as it has no C–H bonds making it an ideal solvent for IR spectroscopy.
[2][3] PCE is a man-made pollutant which is difficult to degrade.
[4] It is a ground water contaminant
[5] which has adverse effect on human health due to its potential toxicity and carcinogenicity.
[6] Some of the methods proposed for its degradation are Fenton oxidation treatment,
[7] reductive dehalogenation under methanogenic condition,
[6] and reduction using zero valent metal ions.
[5] One of the methods reported for its synthesis is by reacting ethylene dichloride and chlorine.
[8]