Chloroform
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Chloroform (Trichloromethane) is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor. It is a widely used organic solvent with excellent solvency for many substances. Historically employed as an anesthetic, chloroform is now primarily used in laboratories and industry for extraction, degreasing, and chemical synthesis. It has moderate volatility and is heavier than air, requiring careful handling to avoid inhalation hazards. Its chemical stability and ability to dissolve fats, alkaloids, and other substances make it valuable in pharmaceutical, chemical, and industrial processes.
Description
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Chloroform
Primary Uses
- Pharmaceuticals & Laboratories
- Solvent for extraction and purification of compounds in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.
- Used in chromatographic processes and analytical chemistry for sample preparation.
- Employed as a reagent and solvent in organic synthesis reactions.
- Industrial Applications
- Used as a solvent for fats, oils, waxes, rubber, and resins.
- Degreasing agent in metal cleaning and industrial manufacturing.
- Utilized in the production of refrigerants and as a precursor in chemical manufacturing.
Secondary Uses
- Historical Medical Use
- Formerly used as an inhalation anesthetic; now largely discontinued due to toxicity.
- Laboratory Research
- Used as a solvent for NMR spectroscopy sample preparation (deuterated chloroform).
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Trichloromethane
- Common/Trade Name: Chloroform
- CAS Number: 67-66-3
- HS Code: 2903.39.00
- Molecular Formula: CHCl₃
- Synonyms:
- Trichloromethane
- Methyl trichloride
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear, volatile liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless; sweet, ether-like odor
- Melting Point: -63.5°C
- Boiling Point: 61.2°C
- Density: 1.49 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (~0.8 g/100 mL at 20°C); miscible with organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, and benzene
- Vapor Pressure: 160 mmHg at 20°C
- Stability: Stable under normal conditions but decomposes in presence of light and oxygen producing phosgene, a toxic gas
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Toxic, flammable, suspected carcinogen
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 3
- Flammability: 1
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL = 2 ppm (8-hour TWA); NIOSH REL = 2 ppm
- Toxicity: Harmful if inhaled or absorbed; causes central nervous system depression, liver and kidney damage; possible carcinogen
- Reactivity: Stable but decomposes under light exposure to toxic phosgene
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers away from heat, light, and ignition sources; preferably in cool, dark storage
- Container Type: Glass or metal containers with vapor-tight seals
- Shelf Life: Indefinite if stored properly away from light and moisture
- Special Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods; wear PPE including respirators when necessary
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- FDA Status: Not approved for pharmaceutical use due to toxicity
- REACH Status: Registered and regulated under EU chemical safety laws
- Transportation: Classified as a hazardous material (Class 6.1 Toxic substance)
- Waste Disposal: Dispose as hazardous waste according to local regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
- Persistence: Moderately persistent in the environment
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
- Biodegradability: Slowly biodegradable
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE: Use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, lab coat, and respirators when handling vapors
- Handling: Avoid inhalation and skin contact; use only in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods
- Storage: Keep container sealed and stored away from heat, sparks, and sunlight
- Hygiene: Wash hands after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air; if breathing is difficult, provide oxygen; seek medical attention immediately
- Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical attention if irritation develops
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek immediate medical care
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek emergency medical assistance immediately
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible liquid; emits toxic gases (phosgene, hydrogen chloride) when heated or burning
- Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers; do not use water jet
- Special Precautions: Firefighters must wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Decomposition Products: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide
Related products
Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride
Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride (AlCl₃) is a white to pale yellow crystalline solid known for its strong Lewis acid properties. It is a key catalyst widely used in organic synthesis, especially in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions. Due to its high reactivity with moisture, it must be stored and handled under strictly anhydrous conditions. Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride also finds applications in polymerization, pharmaceuticals, and the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals.
Benzene Extra Pure
Benzene Extra Pure is a high-purity, clear, highly volatile, and flammable liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor, used extensively in laboratory settings for analytical, organic, and physical chemistry applications. It serves as a non-polar solvent for a wide range of chemical reactions, particularly in the study of aromatic compounds, electrophilic substitution mechanisms, and polymer chemistry. Its stability and solvency make it suitable for sample preparation, purification processes, and spectral analysis. The extra pure grade ensures minimal impurities, delivering consistent results in precision research. Due to its toxic and carcinogenic nature, benzene must be handled in a well-ventilated fume hood with appropriate protective equipment and stored in tightly sealed containers away from heat, sparks, and oxidizers.
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with a mild pleasant odor and clear, colorless liquid appearance. It serves as a versatile solvent, preservative, and intermediate in chemical synthesis. Benzyl Alcohol is widely used across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints, coatings, and as a bacteriostatic agent in injectable drugs. Its relatively low toxicity and good solvent properties make it valuable in both industrial and consumer products.
Diethyl Glycol
Diethyl Glycol is a clear, colorless, hygroscopic, and viscous liquid with a mild odor. It is a diol with two hydroxyl groups, making it a versatile chemical intermediate and solvent. DEG is miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents. It is widely used in the manufacture of plasticizers, solvents, resins, and as an intermediate in chemical syntheses. Due to its high boiling point and solvent properties, DEG finds broad applications across industrial, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
Distilled Water
Distilled Water is purified water that has been processed through distillation, a method involving evaporation and subsequent condensation to remove impurities, salts, minerals, and organic matter. This results in ultra-pure, clear, odorless, and tasteless water free of dissolved solids and contaminants. Distilled water is non-conductive, neutral in pH under ideal storage, and chemically stable. It is widely used across pharmaceutical, laboratory, medical, industrial, and consumer applications where high water purity is critical.
Hexane Extra Pure
Hexane Extra Pure is a high-purity, colorless liquid hydrocarbon known for its low boiling point and excellent solvency properties. It is extensively used in laboratories as a non-polar solvent for extractions, chromatography, and purification processes. Due to its volatility and ability to dissolve oils and fats, hexane is also employed in the preparation of samples for analysis, especially in organic chemistry and analytical laboratories. Its extra pure grade ensures minimal impurities, making it suitable for critical applications in pharmaceutical research, food testing, and industrial quality control.
N propyl Acetate
N propyl Acetate is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid ester with a fruity odor, chemically known as propyl ethanoate. It is widely used as a solvent in coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning agents due to its excellent solvency and moderate evaporation rate. N-Propyl Acetate is valued for its ability to dissolve various resins and polymers, providing good film formation and gloss in paints and coatings.
Normal Hexane
Normal Hexane is a colorless, highly flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C6H14. It belongs to the aliphatic hydrocarbon family and is primarily used as a solvent due to its excellent ability to dissolve oils, fats, and various organic compounds. It has a low boiling point and evaporates quickly, making it ideal for industrial and laboratory applications.

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