Detailed Product Description:

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane (TCM) and methyl trichloride

is a member of a group of compounds known as trihalomethanes.  It does not

undergo combustion in air, although it will burn when mixed with more

flammable substances.  Chloroform has multiple uses as a reagent and a solvent.  

Not to be confused with Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride), CH2Cl2.

Grade/Purity:

This is Reagent Grade material, ethanol-stabilized, minimum purity of 99%

Background:

Chloroform was first produced industrially by the reaction of acetone

(or ethanol) with sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite, known as

the haloform reaction.  Today the haloform process is obsolete for the

production of ordinary chloroform.  However, the haloform reaction can

occur inadvertently in domestic settings.  Sodium hypochlorite solution

(chlorine bleach) mixed with common household liquids such as acetone,

butanone, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol may produce some chloroform, in

addition to other compounds such as chloroacetone, or dichloroacetone.

Uses

The major use of chloroform today is in the production of the refrigerant,

commonly used in the air conditioning business.  However, as the Montreal

Protocol takes effect, this use can be expected to decline as R-22 is replaced

by refrigerants that are less liable to result in ozone depletion.  In addition, it

is used under research conditions to anesthetize mosquitoes for experiments,

most frequently for the study of malaria.

Use as a Solvent:

Chloroform is a common solvent because it is relatively unreactive, miscible

with most organic liquids, and conveniently volatile.  Small amounts of

chloroform are used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry and for

producing dyes and pesticides.  Chloroform is an effective solvent for alkaloids

in their base form and thus plant material is commonly extracted with chloroform

for pharmaceutical processing.   

It can be used to bond pieces of acrylic plastic (also known under the trade names

Perspex and Plexiglas).

Reagent in organic synthesis

As a reagent, chloroform serves as a source of the dichlorocarbene CCl2 group.  

It reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide (usually in the presence of a phase

transfer catalyst) to produce dichlorocarbene, CCl2.  This reagent effects

ortho-formylation of activated aromatic rings such as phenols, producing aryl

aldehydes in a reaction known as the Reimer-Tiemann reaction.  Alternatively

the carbene can be trapped by an alkene to form a cyclopropane derivative.

Precautions:

As might be expected for an anesthetic, inhaling chloroform vapors depresses

the central nervous system.  It is immediately dangerous to life and health at

approximately 500 ppm according to the United States National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health.  Breathing about 900 ppm for a short time

can cause dizziness, fatigue, and headache.  Chronic chloroform exposure may

cause damage to the liver (where chloroform is metabolized to phosgene) and

to the kidneys, and some people develop sores when the skin is immersed in

chloroform.

The National Toxicology Program's eleventh report on carcinogens implicates

it as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, a designation equivalent

to International Agency for Research on Cancer class 2A.  It has been most

readily associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.  Caution is mandated during

its handling in order to minimize unnecessary exposure; safer alternatives, such

as dichloromethane (methylene chloride), have resulted in a substantial reduction

of its use as a solvent.

During prolonged storage, hazardous amounts of phosgene can accumulate in

the presence of oxygen and ultraviolet light.  To prevent accidents, commercial

chloroform is stabilized with ethanol or amylene.

Click here to download MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Packaging:

Comes packed in 500ml amber glass bottle.  Also available in 250ml size.