Discovery and Chemical Properties of Chloroform
- Chloroform was first described in 1831 by Justus von Liebig and Eugène Soubeiran.
- Liebig incorrectly stated the empirical formula of chloroform as C.
- The correct empirical formula of chloroform is CHCl3.
- Chloroform is also known as trichloromethane.
- It is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor.

Uses and Applications of Chloroform
- Chloroform was widely used as an anesthetic in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- It is used as a solvent for various organic compounds.
- Chloroform is a precursor in the production of refrigerants and propellants.
- It is used in the manufacturing of dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.
- Chloroform has been used as a laboratory reagent and in chemical research.

Health and Safety Concerns of Chloroform
- Chloroform is considered a hazardous substance and can cause health risks.
- Prolonged exposure to chloroform can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
- It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
- Chloroform can form toxic gases when heated or exposed to flames.
- Proper safety precautions, such as ventilation and personal protective equipment, should be used when handling chloroform.

Environmental Impact of Chloroform
- Chloroform is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and can contribute to air pollution.
- It has been detected in drinking water sources due to its presence in industrial waste and runoff.
- Chloroform is persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
- It is regulated by environmental agencies to limit its release into the environment.
- Efforts are being made to reduce the use of chloroform and find alternative substances with lower environmental impact.

Alternatives and Substitutes for Chloroform
- Due to its health and environmental concerns, alternatives to chloroform have been developed.
- Isoflurane and sevoflurane are commonly used inhalation anesthetics instead of chloroform.
- Other solvents, such as ethanol and acetone, can be used as substitutes for chloroform in laboratory applications.
- The development of greener solvents aims to replace chloroform with more sustainable and environmentally friendly options.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
chloroform (noun)
a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid CHCl with an ether odor used especially as a solvent - 3
chloroform (verb)
transitive verb
to treat with or as if with chloroform especially so as to produce anesthesia, insensibility, or death
Chloroform (Wikipedia)

Chloroform, or trichloromethane (often abbreviated as TCM), is an organic compound with the formulaCHCl3 and a common solvent. It is a very volatile, colorless, strong-smelling, dense liquid produced on a large scale as a precursor to refrigerants and in turn PTFE. Chloroform is a trihalomethane that serves as a powerful anesthetic, euphoriant, anxiolytic, and sedative when inhaled or ingested. Chloroform was used as an anesthetic between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. It is miscible with many solvents but it is only very slightly soluble in water (only 8 g/L at 20°C).

Chloroform
Chloroform in its liquid state shown in a test tube
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Trichloromethane
Other names
  • Chloroform
  • Chloroformium
  • Freon 20
  • Methane trichloride
  • Methyl trichloride
  • Methenyl trichloride
  • Methenyl chloride
  • Refrigerant-20
  • terchloride/perchloride of formyle (archaic)
  • Trichloretum Formylicum (Latin)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
AbbreviationsR-20, TCM
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard100.000.603 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 200-663-8
KEGG
RTECS number
  • FS9100000
UNII
UN number1888
  • InChI=1S/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H checkY
    Key: HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H
    Key: HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYAG
  • ClC(Cl)Cl
Properties
CHCl3
Molar mass119.37 g·mol−1
AppearanceHighly refractive colorless liquid
OdorSweet, minty, pleasant
Density1.564 g/cm3 (−20 °C)
1.489 g/cm3 (25 °C)
1.394 g/cm3 (60 °C)
Melting point−63.5 °C (−82.3 °F; 209.7 K)
Boiling point61.15 °C (142.07 °F; 334.30 K)
decomposes at 450 °C
10.62 g/L (0 °C)
8.09 g/L (20 °C)
7.32 g/L (60 °C)
SolubilitySoluble in benzene
Miscible in diethyl ether, oils, ligroin, alcohol, CCl4, CS2
Solubility in acetone≥ 100 g/L (19 °C)
Solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide≥ 100 g/L (19 °C)
Vapor pressure0.62 kPa (−40 °C)
7.89 kPa (0 °C)
25.9 kPa (25 °C)
313 kPa (100 °C)
2.26 MPa (200 °C)
3.67 L·atm/mol (24 °C)
Acidity (pKa)15.7 (20 °C)
UV-vismax)250 nm, 260 nm, 280 nm
−59.30·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermal conductivity0.13 W/(m·K) (20 °C)
1.4459 (20 °C)
Viscosity0.563 cP (20 °C)
Structure
Tetrahedral
1.15 D
Thermochemistry
114.25 J/(mol·K)
202.9 J/(mol·K)
−134.3 kJ/mol
−71.1 kJ/mol
473.21 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
N01AB02 (WHO)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Decomposes to extremely toxic phosgene and hydrogen chloride in presence of light – IARC group 2BReproductive toxicitySpecific target organ toxicity (STOT)
GHS labelling:
GHS06: Toxic GHS08: Health hazard GHS05: Corrosive
Danger
H302, H315, H319, H331, H336, H351, H361d, H372
P201, P202, P235, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P281, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P308+P313, P310, P311, P314, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 1: Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. E.g. calciumSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
0
1
Flash pointNonflammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
704 mg/kg (mouse, dermal)
9,617 ppm (rat, 4 hr)[clarification needed]
  • 20,000 ppm (guinea pig, 2 hr)
  • 7,056 ppm (cat, 4 hr)
  • 25,000 ppm (human, 5 min)
[clarification needed]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
50 ppm (240 mg/m3)
REL (Recommended)
Ca ST 2 ppm (9.78 mg/m3) [60-minute]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
500 ppm[clarification needed]
Safety data sheet (SDS)[1]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Supplementary data page
Chloroform (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
Chloroform (Wiktionary)

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French chloroforme, portmanteau of terchloride (tertiary chloride, trichloride) and formyle (CH, an obsolete radical of formic acid) by Jean-Baptiste Dumas, from 1834.

Pronunciation

Noun

chloroform (uncountable)

  1. (organic
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