1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TeCA), also known as bonoform, cellon, or westron is an organic compound. It is colorless liquid and has a sweet odor. It is used as an industrial solvent or as a separation agent. TeCA is toxic and it can be inhaled, consumed or absorbed through the skin. After exposure, nausea, dizziness or even liver damage may occur. History 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was used in large amounts to produce other chemicals like trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and 1,2-dichloroethylene. It also found its function as a industrial solvent and was used in paint removers and pesticides. Because of its possible carcinogen effects on humans, the production of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has decreased significantly and is no longer widely used as an end-product. It is however still generated as a byproduct and as an intermediate product during manufacturing, where low levels of the chemical have been detected in the air. Synthesis There are a few different ways to synthesise 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane can be produced by the catalytic addition of chlorine to acetylene (ethyne) which yields the highest purity. It is also produced by direct chlorination or oxychlorination utilizing ethylene as feedstock and by catalytic chlorination of ethane or chlorination of 1,2- dichloroethane. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is always produced in closed systems to obtain the highest yield. Common side products that are created during the synthesis of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane are 1,2-dichloroethane and trichloroethylene (in the presence of heat). Reactivity Alcohol increases the metabolism of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TeCA) and it will intensify the effects of TeCA. Humans who consume alcohol might be at an increased risk for all toxic effects from TeCA. This is also a case for several other chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. An investigation showed when you combine alcohol with TeCA it increases the relative weight of the experimented rats, indicating an enlarged activity of TeCA. Metabolism The metabolism is believed to involve cytochrome (CYP) P450. Experiments showed that biotransformation reactions increased with chronic ethanol consumption and fasting. Toxicity Mechanism of action Looking at the chemical and physical properties the 1,1,2,2,-tetrachloroethane (TeCA) might be rapidly and extensively absorbed, which results in oral and inhalation exposures. In animal studies the oral take up was reported bij 70-100% and 40-97% oral uptake in human inhalation. TeCA is a small, volatile, lipophilic molecule; it appears that TeCA readily be absorbed from respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Absorption with passive diffusion is the most likely mechanism. After TeCA is absorbed in the body, it is readily distributed throughout