Chloroform

TRICHLOROMETHANE / CHLOROFORM

‌1. Medical & Anesthetic Uses (Historical)‌

• ‌Anesthesia‌: Once widely used in human and veterinary surgery to induce unconsciousness, but largely replaced by safer alternatives due to toxicity risks

• ‌Analgesia‌: Historically administered to manage pain during childbirth (e.g., Victoria’s use)1.

‌2. Industrial & Laboratory Applications‌

• ‌Solvent‌: Effective in dissolving oils, resins, and fats; used in adhesives, coatings, and refrigerants35.

• ‌Chemical Synthesis‌: Employed in organic reactions, such as epoxidation (e.g., with cyclohexene)5.

• ‌Extraction‌: Used to isolate compounds from plant or biological materials (e.g., chloroform extracts show high activity in some studies)5.

‌3. Forensic & Toxicology‌

• ‌Traces in Criminal Investigations‌: Detectable in cases of foul play (e.g., evidence found in Casey Anthony’s car)1.