Be+Careful!

If you are planning on doing this reaction please take extra safety precautions while working with chloroform.



**Background:** Chloroform is a clear, colorless, nonflammable liquid that has a mild odor. Its main use is as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22 (chlorodifluoromethane, or ‘hcfc-22’), which is primarily a refrigerant and feedstock for fluoropolymers. Chloroform also has minor applications as a process solvent in the production of some pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.

Due to chloroform’s volatility, inhalation is the principal hazard, but the liquid is also toxic if ingested. Reactions to an excessive inhalation exposure include headache, dizziness, drunkenness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Excessive exposure can cause systemic injury to the kidneys and liver. Extremely high levels may increase myocardial irritability (irregular heartbeats) and can cause death.
 * Toxicity and Safe Handling:**

The likelihood and degree of the injury may be increased by the use of alcohol before or after exposure to chloroform. Any person showing or feeling the effects of inhaling chloroform should be removed to fresh air immediately and given prompt medical attention. If breathing stops, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be given. Adequate ventilation should be provided in the workplace to minimize the possibility of an inhalation hazard.

Chloroform may damage the environment if released into the air, water or soil. You should be aware of the potential effects chloroform on the environment before beginning to use them for any application. The following guidelines are a checklist for both health and environmental safety. Wherever possible, you should employ engineering controls and management practices to ensure that the solvent is utilized in the most environmentally responsible manner possible.
 * Spills, leaks and Disposal:**

Cover chloroform containers when not in use. Minimize the number of transfer processes. Use nozzles, hoses and couplings whenever transferring solvent. Connect hoses securely before performing filling operations. When moving drums from one location to another, use a mobile trough that is large enough to hold the contents of the drum in the event of a leak. Be aware of residual amounts of solvent in pipes and hoses. If possible, purge all lines and hoses, with air or nitrogen before disassembling or disconnecting Implement a proven dry-disconnect coupling, or purge and cap lines and hoses to prevent contamination. Capping hoses that contain residual liquid solvent is not recommended as the hose may rupture if the solvent heats up and expands. Whenever possible, install permanent piping for applications which involve frequent filling and emptying procedures conduct all solvent operations in contained areas that are coated with solvent-resistant aterials that can accommodate the volumes being handled and isolated from drains to the sewer or ground.
 * General Safety Guidelines to Prevent Water, Soil and Air Contamination:**