Difference between revisions of "Chloroform"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. Chloroform was synthesized in 1831 by Liebig and Soubeiran. It was first used as a general anesthetic in 1847 by Sir James Simpson, a physician in Edinburgh. Chloroform is a good [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=solvent solvent] for [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fat fats], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=oil oils], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=rubber%2C%20natural rubber], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=wax waxes], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=natural%20resin resins]. It has been used as a cleaning fluid, refrigerant, degreaser, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=insecticide insecticide], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=fumigant fumigant].
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A volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. Chloroform was synthesized in 1831 by Liebig and Soubeiran. It was first used as a general anesthetic in 1847 by Sir James Simpson, a physician in Edinburgh. Chloroform is a good [[solvent]] for [[fat|fats]], [[oil|oils]], [[rubber, natural|rubber]], [[wax|waxes]], and [[natural resin|resins]]. It has been used as a cleaning fluid, refrigerant, degreaser, [[insecticide]], and [[fumigant]].
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==

Revision as of 08:30, 13 January 2014

Description

A volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. Chloroform was synthesized in 1831 by Liebig and Soubeiran. It was first used as a general anesthetic in 1847 by Sir James Simpson, a physician in Edinburgh. Chloroform is a good Solvent for fats, oils, rubber, waxes, and resins. It has been used as a cleaning fluid, refrigerant, degreaser, Insecticide, and Fumigant.

Synonyms and Related Terms

trichloromethane; trichlormethane (sp); methane trichloride; formyl chloride

Chemical structure

Chloroform.jpg


Other Properties

Miscible in ethanol, ether, benzene, carbon disulfide. Slightly soluble in water.

Composition CHCl3
CAS 67-66-3
Melting Point -63.5
Density 1.485
Molecular Weight mol. wt. = 119.4
Refractive Index 1.4422
Boiling Point 61.2

Hazards and Safety

Carcinogen. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. Nonflammable.

Chloroform can decompose when exposed to heat, moisture and UV light forming highly toxic fumes (phosgene, chlorine gas and hydrogen chloride). Reacts violently with bases, oxidants and some metals (e.g.,aluminium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium), causing fire and explosion hazard. Attacks plastic, rubber and coatings.

International Chemical Safety Card

Comparisons

Properties of Common Solvents


Authority

  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 186
  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 Comment: bp=61.2C, mp=-63.5C
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 2193; bp=61-62C, mp=-63.5C; ref. index= 1.4422
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index= 1.444

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