Hexa chlor ethane

The hexa-halogen ethanes, CX3—CX3, or per-halogen ethanes, are known in both the chlorine and the bromine compounds. Per-chlor ethane, CCI3—CCI3, hexa-chlor ethane is a colorless, crystalline substance with a camphor-like odor and which melts at 184°. Per-brom ethane, CBr3—CBr3, hexa-brom ethane is also a colorless, crystalline substance. 

From Hexa-chlor Ethane.—It may also be prepared by oxidizing a derivative of ethane, viz., hexa-chlor ethane, CCle, with potassium hydroxide. This reaction may be considered as yielding the complete oxidation product of ethane by the replacement of the six chlorine atoms by six hydroxyl groups. This then loses water, as in the case of all compounds which contain more than one hydroxyl group linked to one carbon atom, and di-carboxyl, or oxalic acid results, as follows. 

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