Page 227 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_C 11/7/01 3:08 PM Page 2.167

CHLOROFORM

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Chloroform (boiling point: 61.7 C, melting point: –63.5 C, density:
1.4832) is produced by the chlorination of methylene chloride, which in
turn is made by the chlorination of methyl chloride and methane.
CH + C1 → CH Cl + HCl
4 2 3
CH Cl + Cl → CHCl + HCl
3 2 2
CH Cl + C1 → CHCl + HCl
2 2 2 3
Chloroform is also produced from acetone and calcium hypochlorite—
the reaction is rapid and the yield is high.

2CH COCH + 3Ca(OCl) → 2CHCl + Ca(CH COO) + 2Ca(OH)
3 3 2 3 3 2 2
Pure chloroform decomposes readily on storing, particularly if exposed
to moisture and sunlight, to yield phosgene and other compounds. A small
amount (0.5 to 1%) of ethyl alcohol is added to retard this decomposition.
The main use of chloroform is in the manufacture of chlorofluorocarbon
refrigerants and polymers.

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