Chloroform
Chloroform (CHCl₃), also known as trichloromethane, is a colorless, dense, sweet-smelling organic compound.
Chemical Properties
- Formula: CHCl₃
- Molecular weight: 119.38 g/mol
- Boiling point: 61.2°C
- Density: 1.489 g/cm³ (denser than water)
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with most organic solvents
Production
Produced industrially by the chlorination of methane or chloromethane at high temperatures, or by the haloform reaction (reacting acetone or ethanol with bleach).
Uses
| Application | Details |
|---|---|
| Solvent | Widely used in labs and industry to dissolve fats, oils, rubber, and alkaloids |
| Precursor | Main feedstock for producing PTFE (Teflon) via chlorodifluoromethane |
| NMR spectroscopy | Deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) is the most common NMR solvent |
| Historical anesthetic | Used as a general anesthetic in the 19th century before safer alternatives existed |
| Extraction | Used in liquid-liquid extraction in chemical and pharmaceutical labs |
Health & Safety
- Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at high doses
- Suspected carcinogen (Group 2A, IARC)
- Prolonged inhalation causes dizziness, nausea, and unconsciousness
- Oxidizes in air to form phosgene (COCl₂), a highly toxic gas — this is why chloroform bottles must be stored carefully and stabilized with ethanol
- Regulated as a controlled precursor in many countries due to potential misuse
Pop Culture vs. Reality
The idea that chloroform renders someone instantly unconscious (as seen in movies) is a myth. In reality, it takes several minutes of sustained exposure to cause unconsciousness, and the dose required is close to lethal — which is a key reason it was abandoned as an anesthetic.
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