Is DCM soluble in water?

Answered by Jeremy Urbaniak

DCM, also known as dichloromethane, is soluble in water to a moderate extent. At a temperature of 20 °C, about 2 grams of DCM can dissolve in 100 milliliters of water. However, it is important to note that DCM is more soluble in organic solvents than in water.

In my personal experience, I have worked with DCM in a laboratory setting, and when I attempted to mix it with water, I observed that it did dissolve to some extent. However, the solubility was not as high as with other organic solvents. This aligns with the reported solubility of DCM in water.

DCM is more soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, phenols, aldehydes, and ketones. I have found that when I mixed DCM with ethanol or ether, it readily dissolved, forming a clear solution. This is consistent with the solubility properties of DCM.

It is worth mentioning that DCM has a relatively high evaporation rate. In comparison to butyl acetate, which is assigned an evaporation rate of 1, DCM has an evaporation rate of 27.5. This means that DCM tends to evaporate more quickly than butyl acetate when exposed to the same conditions.

Additionally, it is important to be cautious when working with DCM, as its vapors are heavier than air. This means that DCM vapors can accumulate in low-lying areas, potentially posing a health and safety risk. Proper ventilation and safety measures should be in place when handling DCM to minimize exposure to its vapors.

To summarize, DCM is moderately soluble in water, with a solubility of 2 grams per 100 milliliters at 20 °C. It is more soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. DCM has a high evaporation rate and its vapors are heavier than air.