ContaminantDB: Chloroform

Identification Taxonomy Biological Properties Physical Properties Toxicity Profile Spectra Concentrations Links References Targets (41)XML

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2009-03-06 18:57:55 UTC

Update Date

2026-05-14 19:09:15 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM000009

Identification

Common Name

Chloroform

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Chloroform is found in spearmint. Indirect food additive arising from adhesives and polymers Chloroform is a common solvent in the laboratory because it is relatively unreactive, miscible with most organic liquids, and conveniently volatile. Chloroform is used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry and for producing dyes and pesticides. Chloroform is an effective solvent for alkaloids in their base form and thus plant material is commonly extracted with chloroform for pharmaceutical processing. For example, it is commercially used to extract morphine from poppies and scopolamine from Datura plants. Chloroform containing deuterium (heavy hydrogen), CDCl3, is a common solvent used in NMR spectroscopy. It can be used to bond pieces of acrylic glass (also known under the trade names Perspex and Plexiglas). Chloroform is a solvent of phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol 25:24:1 is used to dissolve non-nucleic acid biomolecules in DNA and RNA extractions. Chloroform is the organic compound with formula CHCl3. It does not undergo combustion in air, although it will burn when mixed with more flammable substances. It is a member of a group of compounds known as trihalomethanes. Chloroform has myriad uses as a reagent and a solvent. It is also considered an environmental hazard. Several million tons are produced annually. The output of this process is a mixture of the four chloromethanes: chloromethane, dichloromethane, chloroform (trichloromethane), and carbon tetrachloride, which are then separated by distillation. Chloroform has been shown to exhibit antifoaming agent, anti-coagulant, depressant, analgesic and anti-fungal functions (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Chloroform belongs to the family of Organochlorides. These are organic compounds containing a chlorine atom.

Contaminant Sources

Clean Air Act Chemicals
Disinfection Byproducts
EAFUS Chemicals
FooDB Chemicals
HMDB Contaminants - Feces
HPV EPA Chemicals
IARC Carcinogens Group 2B
OECD HPV Chemicals
STOFF IDENT Compounds
T3DB toxins
Tobacco Smoke Compounds
ToxCast & Tox21 Chemicals

Contaminant Type

Cigarette Toxin
Drug
Food Toxin
Household Toxin
Human Neurotoxin
Indicator and Reagent
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Metabolite
Organic Compound
Organochloride
PMT
Pesticide
Pollutant
Solvent
Synthetic Compound

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
1,1,1-Trichloromethane	ChEBI
CHCL3	ChEBI
Chloroforme	ChEBI
Chloroformium pro narcosi	ChEBI
Trichlormethan	ChEBI
Trichloromethane	ChEBI
CF	HMDB
Chloroform, acs	HMDB
Chloroformwith amylene	HMDB
Chloroformwith ethanol	HMDB
Cloroformio	HMDB
Formyl trichloride	HMDB
Freon 20	HMDB
HSDB 56	HMDB
Methane trichloride	HMDB
Methenyl chloride	HMDB
Methenyl trichloride	HMDB
Methyl trichloride	HMDB
Methylidyne trichloride	HMDB
R 20 (Refrigerant)	HMDB
R 20	HMDB
R20	HMDB
Refrigerant R20	HMDB
TCM	HMDB
Trichloormethaan	HMDB
trichloro-Methane	HMDB
Trichloroform	HMDB
Trichloromethane, 9ci	HMDB
Trichloromethyl radical	HMDB
Triclorometano	HMDB

Chemical Formula

CHCl₃

Average Molecular Mass

119.378 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

117.914 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

67-66-3

IUPAC Name

trichloromethane

Traditional Name

chloroform

SMILES

ClC(Cl)Cl

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/CHCl3/c2-1(3)4/h1H

InChI Key

HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

belongs to the class of organic compounds known as trihalomethanes. These are organic compounds in which exactly three of the four hydrogen atoms of methane (CH4) are replaced by halogen atoms.

Kingdom

Organic compounds

Super Class

Organohalogen compounds

Class

Alkyl halides

Sub Class

Halomethanes

Direct Parent

Trihalomethanes

Alternative Parents

Substituents

Trihalomethane
Hydrocarbon derivative
Organochloride
Alkyl chloride
Aliphatic acyclic compound

Molecular Framework

Aliphatic acyclic compounds

External Descriptors

one-carbon compound (CHEBI:35255 )
chloromethanes (CHEBI:35255 )
a small molecule (CPD-843 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Extracellular

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Not Available

Pathways

Not Available

Applications

Biological Roles

carcinogenic agent

Chemical Roles

non-polar solvent

Physical Properties

State

Liquid

Appearance

Colorless liquid.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	-63.2°C
Boiling Point	61.2 °C
Solubility	7.95 mg/mL at 25°C

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
Water Solubility	6.95 g/L	ALOGPS
logP	1.67	ALOGPS
logP	1.83	ChemAxon
logS	-1.2	ALOGPS
Physiological Charge	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	0 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	21.37 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	8.52 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	1	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	No	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	View
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-d2165f9bfa5b3898f4d5	Spectrum
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-375900f120fe0ebf7c58	Spectrum
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-4c60f1e48cbdf424460b	Spectrum
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-d2165f9bfa5b3898f4d5	Spectrum
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-375900f120fe0ebf7c58	Spectrum
GC-MS	GC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)	splash10-001r-9000000000-4c60f1e48cbdf424460b	Spectrum
Predicted GC-MS	Predicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, Positive	splash10-0159-5900000000-13ef070956a851ce2784	Spectrum
Predicted GC-MS	Predicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, Positive	Not Available	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive	splash10-014i-0900000000-6f9c7451d6c432351608	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive	splash10-014i-0900000000-6f9c7451d6c432351608	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive	splash10-014i-0900000000-6f9c7451d6c432351608	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-cb9a1ddc44b429b7e0f1	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-cb9a1ddc44b429b7e0f1	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-cb9a1ddc44b429b7e0f1	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive	splash10-014i-0900000000-530b2b8e87acbcec8fdc	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive	splash10-014i-0900000000-530b2b8e87acbcec8fdc	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive	splash10-001i-9000000000-1066c6b02caa36264b10	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-93c2c20fb25adc5e905a	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-93c2c20fb25adc5e905a	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative	splash10-014i-0900000000-93c2c20fb25adc5e905a	Spectrum
MS	Mass Spectrum (Electron Ionization)	splash10-001r-9000000000-dd0c3059130b9d8e0a21	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Route of Exposure

Oral (8) ; inhalation (8)

Mechanism of Toxicity

Chloroform and the reactive intermediates of chloroform metabolism, especially phosgene, bind covalently and irreversibly to cellular macromolecules and cause cellular damage within the liver and kidney. While the exact mechanism is unknown, phosgene has been shown to react with molecules such as cysteine, deplete hepatic glutathione, form adducts with microsomal proteins, and elevate hepatic enzyme levels. Chloroform has also been shown to block HERG potassium channels, causing cardiac arrest. (8, 1, 2)

Metabolism

Chloroform in absorbed mainly through the lungs. Once in the body it concentrates in lipid-containing organs such as the adipose tissue, the central nervous system, kidney and liver. It is eliminated unchanged in expired air or metabolized by the liver via a cytochrome P450 mechanism and excreted in the urine and faeces. (1)

Toxicity Values

LD50: 36 mg/kg (Oral, Mouse) (11) LD50: 623 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal, Mouse) (11) LD50: 704 mg/kg (Subcutaneous, Mouse) (11) LC50: 47 702 mg/m3 over 4 hours (Inhalation, Rat) (11)

Lethal Dose

10 mL for an adult human. (12)

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans. (10)

Uses/Sources

Chloroform is found in refridgerants and is also used as a solvent or reagent in the synthesis of other chemicals. Exposure may results from contact with contaminated air or water. (8)

Minimum Risk Level

Acute Inhalation: 0.1 ppm (9) Intermediate Inhalation: 0.05 ppm (9) Chronic Inhalation: 0.02 ppm (9) Acute Oral: 0.3 mg/kg/day (9) Intermediate Oral: 0.1 mg/kg/day (9) Chronic Oral: 0.1 mg/kg/day (9)

Health Effects

Chronic exposure to chloroform causes liver and kidney damage. It has also been shown to have detrimental reproductive and developmental effects. Skin contact with large amounts of chloroform results in sores. Inhaling large amounts of chloroform can cause central nervous system and respiratory depression, and may be fatal. (8)

Symptoms

Acute inhalation of chloroform causes dizziness, fatigue, and headache. (8)

Treatment

There is no known antidote for chloroform. Exposure is usually handled with symptomatic treatment. (8)

Concentrations

Not Available

External Links

DrugBank ID

DB11387

HMDB ID

HMDB0029596

FooDB ID