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Tetradeuteromethane

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tetradeuteromethane, also called tetradeuteriomethane, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CD4 or C2H4, where D and 2H stand for deuterium. It is a colorless gas. It is a heavy analog of methane, where all four hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium atoms. The molar mass of deuterium is about twice the molar mass of hydrogen.

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Tetradeuteromethane
Tetradeuteromethane molecule
Names
IUPAC name
Tetradeuteriomethane[1]
Other names
  • (2H4)Methane[2]
  • Carbon tetradeuteride
  • Heavy methane
  • Methane-D4[3]
  • Methane-d4[2]
  • Methane-d4[4]
  • Tetradeuteromethane[5]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 209-191-7
  • InChI=1S/CH4/h1H4/i1D4
    Key: VNWKTOKETHGBQD-JQYAHLJZSA-N
  • C([2H])([2H])([2H])[2H]
Properties
CD4
Molar mass 20.067 g·mol-1[2]
Appearance Colorless gas[2]
Melting point −183 °C (−297.4 °F; 90.1 K)[2]
Boiling point −161 °C (−258 °F; 112 K)[2]
Structure
Tetrahedral at C
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Extremely flammable
GHS labelling:
‹ The template below (GHS flame) is being considered for merging with GHS pictogram. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›
GHS02: Flammable
‹ The template below (GHS gas cylinder) is being considered for merging with GHS pictogram. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›
GHS04: Compressed Gas
Danger
H220, H280
P203, P210, P222, P280, P377, P381, P403, P410+P403
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 0: Exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material. E.g. sodium chlorideFlammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propaneInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
0
4
0
Flash point −18 °C (0 °F; 255 K)[2]
Explosive limits 5−15 % (by volume)[4]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Synthesis

Tetradeuteromethane can be synthesized by the reaction of aluminium carbide powder Al4C3 with heavy water D2O.[6]

Al4C3 + 6 D2O → 2 Al2O3 + 3 CD4

It can also be synthesized by the reaction between heavy water and carbon tetrachloride in a boiling suspension of zinc.[7]

Properties

The relative molar flame ionization detection response for hydrocarbons does not change when hydrogen is replaced by deuterium. However, the exception is methane for which an inverse deuterium isotope effect of 3.5% is observed for tetradeuteromethane.[8]

The molar mass of tetradeuteromethane is 20.067 g/mol, while of methane is 16.043 g/mol. The difference between molar masses is because the molar mass of deuterium is approximately twice the molar mass of hydrogen. In comparison to methane, the reaction rate of tetradeuteromethane is smaller. For example, tetradeuteromethane reacts with chlorine slower than methane. That is because the C−D bond is stronger than the C−H bond.[9][10]

Uses

Tetradeuteromethane is mainly used as a nuclear magnetic resonance reagent, for modifying optoelectronics, as a laboratory reagent and for scientific research.[3]

Reactions

The complete combustion of tetradeuteromethane produces carbon dioxide and heavy water.

CD4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 D2O

References

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