Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are complex mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes. The chlorination degree of CPs can vary between 30 and 70 wt%. CPs are subdivided according to their carbon chain length into short chain CPs (SCCPs, C10–13), medium chain CPs (MCCPs, C14–17) and long chain CPs (LCCPs, C>17). Depending on chain length and chlorine content, CPs are colorless or yellowish liquids or solids.
Contents
Production
Chlorinated paraffins are synthesized by reaction of chlorine gas with unbranched paraffin fractions (<2 % isoparaffins, <100 ppm aromatics) at a temperature of 80–100 °C. The radical substitution may be promoted by UV-light.
CxH(2x+2) + y Cl2 → CxH(2x−y+2)Cly + y HClWhen the desired degree of chlorination is achieved, residues of hydrochloric acid and chlorine are blown off with nitrogen. Epoxidized vegetable oil, glycidyl ether or organophosphorous compounds may be added to the final product for improved stability at high temperatures.
Commercial products have been classified as substances of unknown or variable composition. CPs are complex mixtures of chlorinated n-alkanes containing thousands of homologues and isomers which are not completely separated by standard analytical methods.
CP´s are produced in Europe, North Amerika, Australia, Brazil, South Afrika and Asia.In China, where most of the world production capacity is located, 600.000 tons of chlorinated paraffins were produced in 2007.
Industrial applications
Production of CPs for industrial use started in the 1930s. Currently, over 200 CP formulations are in use for a wide range of industrial applications, such as flame retardants and plasticisers, as additives in metal working fluids, in sealants, paints, adhesives, textiles, leather fat and coatings.
Safety
Short chain CPs are classified as persistent and their physical properties (octanol-water partition coefficient logKOW 4.4–8, depending on the chlorination degree) imply a high potential for bioaccumulation. Furthermore, SCCPs are classified as toxic to aquatic organisms, and carcinogenic to rats and mice. SCCPs (average chain-length of C12, chlorination degree 60 wt%) were categorised in group 2B as possibly carcinogenic to humans from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). A global ban on SCCPs is being considered under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.