How to Make Chloroform

Chloroform is a relatively non-reactive chemical that is utilized in various laboratories for research work, industries such as dyes and pesticides as well as in pharmaceuticals. Their importance has also been realized in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning industries. In households, chloroform is used mostly in conjunction with other chemicals like acetic acid and other solvents as a detergent for cleaning purpose. Though these once formed significant components in toothpaste, medicines and gel or balms, their harmful effects were realized and were banned from domestic usage. Being a strong chemical, when inhaled, Chloroform could make human beings and animals unconscious.

Irrespective of their harmful effects, Chloroform has still retained their uses intact but only if handled with great care and safety measures. This could be prepared in household using raw materials like Bleach, Pure acetone and loads of ice. The detailed production of chloroform includes:

More than half a liter of bleach is poured over a strong glass container and a pile of large pieces of ice are added to it and allowed the temperature to lower.
Add acetone to this, such that the ratio of acetone to chloroform is in the ratio of 1:50. As the heat increases drastically in this reaction, ice needs to be added from time to time and checked for overheating.
Allow the chemical reaction to take place for about 20 to 30 minutes. This procedure could be done with other chemicals such as butanone, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and so on.
A purely white colored substance settles at the bottom of the container which needs to be carefully extracted. At the same time, the rest of the solvent has to be discarded carefully.
As a safety measure, it is advisable to use up the newly prepared chloroform within a week’s time. Even, the storage should be done in dark bottles to avoid reaction with sunlight. Moreover avoid an empty space between the rim of the bottle and the chemical to prevent oxidation.

Chemical synthesis of chloroform is done by exploitation of the process of chlorination where a mixture of chlorine and methane are heated together. However, other chemicals like chloromethane and dichloromethane might form which could be later separated by distillation.