Definition | Chloroform – Trichloromethane

Chloroform (or trichloromethane) is a hydrocarbon halogenated having Brute formula CHCl3. It was discovered almost simultaneously by Samuel Guthrie (United States), Justus von Liebig (Germany) and Eugène Soubeiran (France) in 1831. It presents itself as a liquid colorless and very volatile with a characteristic ethereal odor.

Chloroform in the environment

Chloroform tends to escape into the atmosphere because of its great volatility and its low capacityadsorption. Its natural origins are mainly sea water (it is made by some algae and bacteria) and the transformation of rocks. The main anthropogenic source is due to water treatment plants, by action of chlorine on the material organic in surface water. Small amounts of chloroform are present in tap water (when it comes from a network where chlorine is used for disinfection), food,air outside and inside.

Chloroform is registered in the Reach register of chemical substances, with a ban on the marketing of mixtures at concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1% by weight. Industrial installations are also required to comply with air and water release thresholds.

The dangers of chloroform

It is irritating to the skin and eyes. Theinhalation vapors (3 minute exposure to 920 concentrations ppm) causes dizziness and light-headedness. In high doses, chloroform is toxic to the heart, central nervous system and the liver. Although it is not flammable, chloroform can decompose under the action of heat in hydrogen chloride and in phosgene, gas corrosive and toxic. He reacts violently with thealuminum, the magnesium, the metals alkaline, strong bases like welded and potash as well as alkaline alcoholates.

History and uses of chloroform

For more than a century (from 1847 with Pierre Flourens, to 1940), chloroform was used as anesthetic to relieve the pain and put the injured to sleep. Queen Victoria used it during her delivery and he served extensively in the American Civil War. After that, chloroform was essentially used for the synthesis of chlorodifluoromethane, or HCFC-22, as refrigerant. This substance was banned in Europe in 2004 in household appliances, then in 2015 for all uses.

Current uses of chloroform:

  • manufacture of chlorofluorinated hydrocarbons (Teflon for example) ;

  • extraction ofessential oils and D'alkaloids ;

  • extraction of antibiotics, hormones, nicotine, quinine, vitamins… in the pharmaceutical industry;

  • solvent and purification agent in the materials industry plastics.

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