Abstract

Chloroform, CHCl₃, at normal temperature and pressure is a heavy, clear, volatile liquid with a pleasant, ethereal, nonirritant odor. It is produced almost exclusively by the chlorination of methane or lower chlorinated methanes, though methane oxychlorination and carbon tetrachloride hydrogenation have been proposed. The U.S. chloroform capacity has been estimated at 327,000 t/yr but the actual capability is probably much higher because of the producer's ability to change their product mix between methylene chloride and chloroform. The main uses for chloroform are in the production of HCFC-22 and fluoropolymers. Chloroform is regulated under a number of federal and state laws.