Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride molecule

Vinyl chloride is a gas, mainly used as a precursor for Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. Its chemical formulae is C₂H₃Cl.

In situ Production

Vinyl Chloride on Mars could be produced from the the hydrochlorination of acetylene. The reactive is hydrogen chloride (HCl) in solution in water, known as hydrochloric acid.

HCl + C₂H₂ -> C₂H₃Cl

Hydrogen chloride is produced from the direct reaction of Chlorine and Hydrogen:

Cl₂ + H₂ → 2 HCl

Chlorine gas is a by-product from the creation of caustic soda in the xxx process, and hydrogen can be obtained by electrolysis of water.