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.

Chloroform (Wikipedia)

For other uses, see Chloroform (disambiguation).

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

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
CAS Number	67-66-3 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Abbreviations	R-20, TCM
ChEBI	CHEBI:35255 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL44618 Y
ChemSpider	5977 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.603
EC Number	200-663-8
KEGG	C13827 Y
PubChem CID	6212
RTECS number	FS9100000
UNII	7V31YC746X Y
UN number	1888
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1020306
InChI InChI=1S/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H Y Key: HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H Key: HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYAG
SMILES ClC(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	CHCl3
Molar mass	119.37 g·mol−1
Appearance	Highly refractive colorless liquid
Odor	Sweet, minty, pleasant
Density	1.564 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 point	61.15 °C (142.07 °F; 334.30 K) decomposes at 450 °C
Solubility in water	10.62 g/L (0 °C) 8.09 g/L (20 °C) 7.32 g/L (60 °C)
Solubility	Soluble 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 pressure	0.62 kPa (−40 °C) 7.89 kPa (0 °C) 25.9 kPa (25 °C) 313 kPa (100 °C) 2.26 MPa (200 °C)
Henry's law constant (kH)	3.67 L·atm/mol (24 °C)
Acidity (pKa)	15.7 (20 °C)
UV-vis (λmax)	250 nm, 260 nm, 280 nm
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−59.30·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermal conductivity	0.13 W/(m·K) (20 °C)
Refractive index (nD)	1.4459 (20 °C)
Viscosity	0.563 cP (20 °C)
Structure
Molecular shape	Tetrahedral
Dipole moment	1.15 D
Thermochemistry
Heat capacity (C)	114.25 J/(mol·K)
Std molar entropy (S⦵298)	202.9 J/(mol·K)
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298)	−134.3 kJ/mol
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG⦵)	−71.1 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298)	473.21 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
ATC code	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 2B – Reproductive toxicity – Specific target organ toxicity (STOT)
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302, H315, H319, H331, H336, H351, H361d, H372
Precautionary statements	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)	2 0 1
Flash point	Nonflammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	704 mg/kg (mouse, dermal)
LC50 (median concentration)	9,617 ppm (rat, 4 hr)[clarification needed]
LCLo (lowest published)	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	Deuterated chloroformCDCl3 ChloromethaneCH3Cl DichloromethaneCH2Cl2 TetrachloromethaneCCl4 FluoroformCHF3 BromoformCHBr3 IodoformCHI3 ChlorodifluoromethaneCHF2Cl DichlorofluoromethaneCHFCl2 BromodichloromethaneCHCl2Br DibromochloromethaneCHClBr2 BromodifluoromethaneCHF2Br DibromofluoromethaneCHFBr2
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). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references