Tetrachloromethane (CCl4) (also known as Carbon Tetrachloride) is a covalently-bonded molecule which exists as liquid under standard conditions.
The structural formula of CCl4 shows that the four atoms of chlorine, because they are identical, take up positions equidistant from the carbon atom, in a tetrahedral arrangement.
This means the molecule is absolutely non-polar: it has no regions of unbalanced electrical charge.
Thus, in contrast to polar molecules, such as water, Tetrachloromethane acts as a good solvent of other non-polar substances, such as fats and oils, whilst being generally unable to dissolve ionic compounds.
Tetrachloromethane was once used in many cleaning products, but it is very toxic, so its use is much limited now.
Anne Evans
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