tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PCE) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon and volatile organic compound (VOC) widely used as an industrial solvent, particularly in dry-cleaning and metal degreasing. Historically, tetrachloroethylene was utilized as an oral anthelmintic (vermifuge) for the treatment of hookworm infestations (such as *Necator americanus* and *Ancylostoma duodenale*) in both humans and animals. Its anthelmintic mechanism of action is non-specific, acting as a cellular poison and anesthetic that paralyzes the parasites, allowing them to be expelled from the gastrointestinal tract. In the body, tetrachloroethylene is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes (primarily CYP2E1) to trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which acts as an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α). Chronic exposure to tetrachloroethylene is associated with significant hepatotoxicity, including liver fibrosis and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, mediated in part by oxidative stress and PPAR-α activation.

Brand names

AnkilostinAntisal 1Antisal1Antisal-1Antisol 1Antisol1Antisol-1Blancosolv No. 2Dee-SolveDidakeneDow-PerFedal-UnNemaPerawinPerclenePercosolvPerklonePerSecTetlenTetracapTetralenoTetralexTetravecTetroguerTetropilWacker-Per

Other names

1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylenecarbon bichloridecarbon dichlorideethylene tetrachloridePCEpercperchlorperchloroetheneperchloroethyleneprotochloride of carbontetrachlorethenetetrachlorethylenetetrachloroethene