Chloroform is an organic compound originally used as an ideal anesthetic. It was first prepared in 1831 and its chemical formula is CHCl3. It is a mass-produced, colorless, sweet-tasting, thick liquid. Chloroform is formed during the chlorination of drinking water, wastewater, and swimming pools and may be released into the air. Chloroform is an industrial chemical that acts as a tear gas. It is non-flammable and therefore safer than ethanol.

Other names –chloroform formula , Trichloroform, Trichloroform

Chloroform – CHCl3 Chemical Properties
Chloroform reacts with the alkali sodium hydroxide to form sodium formate, sodium hydroxide, and water. The chemical equation is as follows.
CHCl3 + 4NaOH → HCOONa + 3NaCl + 2H2O

Chloroform oxidizes to form phosgene and hydrochloric acid. The chemical equation is as follows.
2CHCl3 + O2 → 2COCl2 + 2HCl

Chloroform – Uses of CHCl3
Used as an anesthetic during dental root canal procedures.
Using the spectrum of pure chloroform as a reference or background, pure cholesterol powder or dairy cholesterol extract is dissolved in chloroform for FTIR analysis.
Chloroform has been used in the past as an extraction solvent for fats, greases, oils, and other items; as a laundry point.
Indirect food additive used as a binder component in food packaging materials and a component of food contact materials.

frequently asked questions
What is chloroform used for?

Chloroform is a volatile, colorless liquid that is a derivative of chloroform and has an ether-like odor. Previously used as an inhalation anesthetic in surgery, chloroform's main application now is in agriculture, where it is used as a solvent, particularly in the manufacture of the refrigerant Freon.

What effects does chloroform have on the human body?

Local symptoms after inhaling chloroform include shortness of breath and irritation of the nose and throat. Acute inhalation can cause systemic symptoms such as irritability, nausea, and vomiting, accompanied by ataxia, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Comment on the physical appearance of chloroform

Chloroform is a clear liquid with a slightly sweet taste and an ether-like odor. It is a naturally occurring compound, but most chloroform in the environment is man-made.

How does chloroform render a person unconscious?

Chloroform effectively renders humans unconscious by disrupting the function of intercellular protein synthesis. Doctors would use a cloth mask, drip it with chloroform (or ether), cover the nose and mouth with a wire frame, and knock the person out with chloroform.