Trichloro propane

Brief Overview
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a chemical compound that was an impurity in 1,3-
dichloropropenefumigants manufactured by Shell Chemical Company and Dow Chemical
Company. Exposure by inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion can be harmful to health.

Manufacturing Process
1,2,3-Trichloropropane can be produced via the chlorination of propylene. Other reported
methods for producing 1,2,3-trichloropropane include the addition of chlorine to allyl
chloride, reaction of thionyl chloride with glycerol, and the reaction of phosphorus
pentachloride with either 1,3- or 2,3-dichloropropanol.
TCP also may be produced as a by-product of processes primarily used to produce chemicals
such as dichloropropene (a soil fumigant), propylene chlorohydrin, propylene oxide,
dichlorohydrin, and glycerol.

TCP has been used as a paint or varnish remover, a cleaning and degreasing agent, and was
an impurity in certain pesticides. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in the process of
making chemicals, such as hexafluoropropylene and polysulfides, and as an industrial
solvent.

Solvent

1,2,3-TCP had purportedly been used in the past as a solvent for paint and varnish removal,
as a cleaning and degreasing agent, and as a cleaning and maintenance solvent. No current
information is available to indicate that it continues to be used for these purposes.
 Liquid polysulfide polymers are used mainly as sealants in manufacturing applications,
including applications related to double-paned windows, boat hulls and decks, printing rolls,
integral aircraft fuel tanks, and aircraft bodies.