ETHYL CHLORIDE

ethyl chloride, or hydrochloric ether, c2h5cl, a chemical compound prepared by passing dry hydrochloric acid gas into absolute alcohol. it is a colourless liquid with a sweetish burning taste and an agreeable odour. it is extremely volatile, boiling at 12.5 deg. c. (54.5 deg. f.), and is therefore a gas at ordinary room temperatures; it is stored in glass tubes fitted with screw-capped nozzles. the vapour burns with a smoky green-edged flame. it is largely used in dentistry and slight surgical operations to produce local anaesthesia (q.v.), and is known by the trade-name kelene. more volatile anaesthetics such as anestile or anaesthyl and coryl are produced by mixing with methyl chloride; a mixture of ethyl and methyl chlorides with ethyl bromide is known as somnoform.