Dichloromethane (DCM)
Dichloromethane, also known as methylene chloride, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is a chlorinated solvent widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and laboratory applications due to its excellent solvent properties, including high volatility, moderate polarity, and low boiling point (about 39.6°C). DCM is prized for its ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds, making it ideal for extraction, paint stripping, degreasing, and chemical processing. However, due to health and environmental concerns, its use is regulated and controlled in many countries.