Chloroform facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chloroform |
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Preferred IUPAC name
Trichloromethane
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| Other names |
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| Identifiers | |
| Abbreviations | R-20, TCM |
| CAS number | |
| PubChem | |
| EC number | 200-663-8 |
| KEGG | C13827 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:35255 |
| RTECS number | FS9100000 |
| SMILES | ClC(Cl)Cl |
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InChI
InChI=1/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 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 | |
| Boiling point | |
| 10.62 g/L (0 °C) 8.09 g/L (20 °C) 7.32 g/L (60 °C) |
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| 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) |
| kH | 3.67 L·atm/mol (24 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 15.7 (20 °C) |
| λmax | 250 nm, 260 nm, 280 nm |
| −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 | |
| Std enthalpy of formation ΔfH |
−134.3 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion ΔcH |
473.21 kJ/mol |
| Standard molar entropy S |
202.9 J/(mol·K) |
| Specific heat capacity, C | 114.25 J/(mol·K) |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Decomposes into phosgene and hydrogen chloride in presence of heat – likely carcinogenic – reproductive toxicity – hepatotoxic |
| NFPA 704 |
0
2
0
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| Flash point | Nonflammable |
| U.S. Permissible exposure limit (PEL) |
50 ppm (240 mg/m3) |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is CHCl
3. It is a clear liquid that evaporates easily. Chloroform has a sweet smell. It is also quite dense. This chemical is made in large amounts. It is used to create other important substances. For example, it helps make refrigerants and PTFE, which is known as Teflon. In the past, chloroform was used as a medicine to make people sleep during surgery. This was mainly in the 1800s and early 1900s. It mixes well with many liquids. However, it does not dissolve much in water.
Contents
What is Chloroform's Structure and Name?
A chloroform molecule has a special shape. It looks like a pyramid with four sides, called a tetrahedron. Imagine a methane molecule, which has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. In chloroform, three of these hydrogen atoms are replaced by three chlorine atoms. This leaves one hydrogen atom and three chlorine atoms attached to the carbon. The name "chloroform" comes from two older words. "Chloro" refers to chlorine. "Form" comes from "formyle," an old name for a part of formic acid.
Where is Chloroform Found Naturally?
Chloroform can be found in nature. Some types of seaweed create it. Scientists also think that certain fungi in the soil produce chloroform. Even without living things, natural processes in soil might make chloroform. How this happens is still being studied.
The History of Chloroform
Chloroform was first made by different scientists around 1831.
- A German pharmacist named Moldenhawer made it in 1830. He mixed chlorinated lime with ethanol.
- An American doctor, Samuel Guthrie, also made it in 1831. He noticed it could make people unconscious.
- Other chemists like Justus von Liebig and Eugène Soubeiran also found ways to create it.
In 1834, a French chemist named Jean-Baptiste Dumas figured out its chemical formula. He was the one who gave it the name "chloroform."
Chloroform in Medicine
In 1842, Robert Mortimer Glover in London found that chloroform could make animals unconscious. This was an important discovery. Later, in 1847, a Scottish doctor named James Y. Simpson showed that chloroform could be used to make humans unconscious for medical procedures. He helped make it popular in medicine. However, using chloroform was very risky. Many people died. In 1848, an English doctor, John Snow, created a special inhaler. This device helped control the amount of chloroform given. This made it safer to use. By the 1850s, chloroform was being made in large quantities. Another doctor, Joseph Thomas Clover, improved the inhaler in 1862. This further reduced the dangers. Chloroform was widely used in medicine for many years. However, because of its dangers, doctors eventually stopped using it as an anesthetic. Today, chloroform is made in huge amounts. It is used to create other chemicals, not for medicine.
How is Chloroform Made?
Most chloroform today is made in factories. It is produced by heating a mix of chlorine gas and either methyl chloride (CH
3Cl) or methane (CH
4). This happens at very high temperatures, between 400 and 500 degrees Celsius. During this process, hydrogen atoms in methane are slowly replaced by chlorine atoms. This creates different chemicals, including chloroform.
This process also makes other similar chemicals. These include chloromethane, dichloromethane, and carbon tetrachloride. After they are made, these different chemicals are separated using a method called distillation. This is like boiling and condensing them at different temperatures.
Accidental Chloroform Formation
Chloroform can sometimes form by accident in homes. If you mix chlorine bleach (which contains sodium hypochlorite) with certain common household liquids, it can happen. These liquids include acetone (found in nail polish remover) or ethanol (alcohol). This mixture can create small amounts of chloroform. It is important to be careful when mixing cleaning products.
What is Chloroform Used For Today?
Chloroform is a very useful chemical in industry. Its most important use is in making other chemicals. It reacts with hydrogen fluoride to create monochlorodifluoromethane. This chemical is also known as HCFC-22. HCFC-22 is a key ingredient for making PTFE. You might know PTFE better as Teflon. Teflon is used to make non-stick pans and many other products.
As a Solvent
Chloroform is a good solvent. This means it can dissolve many different substances. It is used in making pesticides. It also dissolves lipids (fats), rubber, and resins. You might find it used as a cleaning agent. It can also be used to protect grains from pests.
In Refrigeration
Chloroform is used to make R-22, which is a type of refrigerant. Refrigerants are chemicals used in cooling systems. Before 2026, R-22 was widely used in air conditioners. However, its use is now being phased out because of environmental concerns. Even though R-22 is being phased out, chloroform is still important. It is a key chemical for making Teflon.
Past Use as an Anesthetic
In the past, chloroform was used as a general anesthetic. This means it made people unconscious during surgery. Doctors like James Y. Simpson helped make it popular in the 1800s. However, using chloroform was very dangerous. It was hard to control the dose. Too much could cause serious heart problems or stop breathing. This led to many accidental deaths. Because of these serious risks, doctors stopped using chloroform for anesthesia. Safer medicines were developed. The last reported medical use in the Western world was in 1987.
Is Chloroform Safe?
Chloroform is a chemical that needs to be handled with great care. It can be harmful if you are exposed to it.
Exposure to Chloroform
Small amounts of chloroform can be found in our environment. It is a byproduct of water chlorination. This means it can be present in tap water and swimming pools. However, the levels are usually very low and meet health standards. In the past, people might have been exposed to more chloroform. It was in some cough syrups and even in tobacco smoke.
How Chloroform Affects the Body
If chloroform gets into the body, it can be absorbed quickly. This can happen through breathing, swallowing, or skin contact. Splashing it in the eyes can cause irritation. Long contact with skin can cause sores. Chloroform mainly affects the central nervous system. This can make a person feel dizzy or sleepy. In large amounts, it can cause deep unconsciousness and stop breathing. It can also harm the liver and kidneys. This is why it is no longer used in medicine.
Danger of Phosgene Gas
Chloroform can slowly change into a very dangerous gas called phosgene. This happens when chloroform is exposed to sunlight and air. Phosgene is extremely poisonous. To prevent this, commercial chloroform usually has a stabilizer added. This stabilizer, often ethanol, reacts with any phosgene that forms. It turns the phosgene into a harmless substance. If you suspect chloroform has turned bad, it can be cleaned. Washing it with certain solutions can remove the dangerous phosgene and acids.
Regulations and Health Concerns
Chloroform is considered a potentially harmful substance. Scientists suspect it might cause cancer in humans. Because of this, it is classified as a possible carcinogen. In many countries, chloroform is listed as an extremely hazardous substance. Companies that produce or store it must follow strict rules. These rules help protect people and the environment from its dangers.
Images for kids
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CHCl
3 levels measured in the lower atmosphere around the world. -
An illustration depicting James Young Simpson and his friends found unconscious.
See also
In Spanish: Cloroformo para niños
