Short intro:
Chloroform is a historically important organic solvent used in labs, industry, and NMR spectroscopy. This guide covers its properties, common uses, safety risks, deuterated form (CDCl₃), and market outlook.

What you’ll learn

• A concise overview of chloroform’s identity, physical properties and common laboratory/industrial uses.
• Practical safety steps, environmental and regulatory considerations, and why deuterated chloroform matters for NMR.
• Market context and Novin Trades’ view for businesses trading solvents and related chemicals.

Key statistics (output, reserves, vacancies)

• CAS number: 67-66-3
• Chemical formula / Molar mass: CHCl₃ / 119.38 g·mol⁻¹
• Boiling point / Density: 61.2 °C / ~1.48 g·cm⁻³
• Primary role: Solvent, intermediate for chemical synthesis, and NMR solvent as CDCl₃.
• Regulatory note: Use has declined for many consumer applications due to toxicity and environmental concerns.

1. CHLOROFORM
   SEO snippet: Chloroform (trichloromethane) is a dense haloform solvent used historically as an anesthetic and today mainly as a laboratory solvent and reagent.
   Chloroform is a simple trihalogenated methane (CHCl₃) — colorless, with a slightly sweet odor, immiscible with water but miscible with many organic solvents. Its combination of volatility and solvation power made it a workhorse for extractions, organic reactions, and spectroscopy. Over the past decades many consumer and medical uses declined because of toxicity and safer alternatives, but chloroform remains indispensable in niche industrial processes and as a spectroscopy solvent (when deuterated).
   External link: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Chloroform (opens in new tab) target="_blank"

2. WHAT IS CHLOROFORM USED FOR
   SEO snippet: Chloroform’s main modern uses include organic solvent applications, intermediate for producing other chemicals, and as a deuterated solvent for NMR spectroscopy.
   Typical uses: solvent for lipids, polymers and organic compounds; reagent in the Reimer–Tiemann/formylation family (under specific conditions); intermediate in some chemical syntheses; and — in its deuterated form — the most common solvent for ¹H NMR. Historically it was used as an anesthetic, but that practice has been abandoned in favor of safer agents. In extraction protocols (e.g., lipid extraction) chloroform-methanol mixtures are standard because methanol helps extract polar components while chloroform dissolves nonpolar lipids — this complementary behavior is why chloroform and methanol are commonly paired.
   External link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158899/ (NIOSH/CDC factsheet) target="_blank"

3. WHAT DOES CHLOROFORM DO
   SEO snippet: Chloroform dissolves a wide range of organic materials, acts as a nonpolar-to-moderately-polar extraction medium, and can be a reagent precursor under specific conditions.
   Chemically, chloroform is relatively inert under neutral conditions but can be transformed (e.g., into dichlorocarbene under strong base), which is exploited in some synthetic routes. As a solvent it stabilizes many organic molecules and enhances extraction of lipophilic substances. It is also a weak hydrogen-bond donor (C–H acidity) and can interact with hydrogen-bond acceptors like ethers and alcohols, slightly altering solvation and NMR chemical shifts. Remember: chloroform does not behave like an alcohol (e.g., methanol) — it’s far less nucleophilic and lacks an OH group, so its reactivity profile is very different.
   External link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/chloroform (science overview) target="_blank" rel="nofollow"

4. WHAT DOES CHLOROFORM SMELL LIKE
   SEO snippet: Chloroform typically has a sweet, ether-like odor that can be detectable at low concentrations — but odor is not a reliable safety indicator.
   Many people describe chloroform’s smell as faintly sweet, somewhat like ether or old-fashioned solvents. However, relying on smell to detect exposure is dangerous: chloroform can cause CNS depression and olfactory fatigue (you may stop noticing the odor before harmful concentrations are reached). Always use detection equipment and fume hoods; do not use scent as a safety cue.
   External link: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/067663.html (NIOSH IDLH info) target="_blank"

5. DEUTERATED CHLOROFORM (CDCl₃)
   SEO snippet: Deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) is the standard NMR solvent for most organic ¹H NMR analyses because it provides a deuterium lock and minimal solvent peaks.
   CDCl₃ replaces the hydrogen with deuterium, eliminating most proton signals from the solvent and allowing clean observation of solute ¹H resonances. Small residual peaks (CHCl₃ impurity, trace water) appear at characteristic chemical shifts and are used as internal references (e.g., residual CHCl₃ at ~7.26 ppm for ¹H NMR). CDCl₃ is sold in high-purity grades with stabilizers (e.g., a small amount of TMS or silver foil) and should be handled as a hazardous solvent — it can degrade to HCl over time if impure, and hygroscopic water affects spectra.
   External link: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/151964 (vendor page for CDCl₃) target="_blank" rel="nofollow"

6. SYNTHESIS & PRODUCTION
   SEO snippet: Industrial chloroform is produced mainly by chlorination of methane or methyl chloride and as a by-product in chlorination reactions; modern production emphasizes controlled conditions and purification.
   Historically, chloroform was produced by chlorinating methane or chloromethanes or via the chlorination of acetone. In many cases today it is manufactured under tightly monitored conditions to avoid by-products and ensure proper quality for lab/industrial uses. Waste streams and by-product handling are subject to environmental regulations due to toxicity and the potential for formation of more hazardous substances. Producers supply different grades (technical, reagent, and spectroscopic) depending on downstream needs.
   External link: https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Chloroform.html (production overview) target="_blank" rel="nofollow"

7. APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRY & LAB
   SEO snippet: From extraction workflows to specialty chemical manufacture and NMR labs, chloroform is still used where its solvation profile and volatility are uniquely advantageous.
   Key industrial uses include solvent in coatings and adhesives (in controlled applications), intermediates for producing refrigerants historically, and laboratory use for lipid extraction and chromatography. Analytical labs rely on deuterated chloroform for routine ¹H NMR; research workflows continue to use CHCl₃ in extraction protocols often paired with methanol, because the two solvents together partition polar and nonpolar material effectively — a combination used in classical lipid extraction techniques (e.g., Folch, Bligh & Dyer). Always consider safer alternative solvents where feasible.
   External link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165993617300512 (review on solvent uses; opens in new tab) target="_blank" rel="nofollow"

8. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & HANDLING
   SEO snippet: Chloroform is toxic — inhalation and ingestion can cause serious health effects; use in a fume hood with PPE, monitor exposure, and follow disposal rules.
   Hazards: CNS depression, potential liver and kidney damage, and suspected carcinogenicity with long-term exposure. Methanol comparison: unlike methanol, which is metabolized to toxic formaldehyde/formic acid causing blindness, chloroform’s acute toxicity is more related to direct CNS and organ effects and its metabolites can damage the liver. Practical protections: use chemical fume hoods, nitrile gloves, splash goggles, avoid open handling, keep away from strong bases (which can generate reactive species), and store in compatible containers away from light and heat. Emergency measures: evacuate area, provide fresh air, and seek medical attention for suspected inhalation or ingestion.
   External link: https://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/cicad/en/cicad12.pdf (WHO/IPCS chloroform review) target="_blank"

9. REGULATIONS & DISPOSAL
   SEO snippet: Chloroform is regulated in many jurisdictions; waste must be handled as hazardous chemical waste and disposed of according to local rules.
   Regulatory frameworks control chloroform emissions, workplace exposure limits (e.g., OSHA / NIOSH / ACGIH thresholds), and environmental release. Disposal typically requires incineration at approved facilities or specialized chemical waste contractors; never pour chloroform down drains. Laboratories should maintain up-to-date SDS, training, and exposure monitoring, and companies should consult local regulations for shipping and storage.
   External link: https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/ (OSHA chemical data tools; search chloroform) target="_blank"

10. NOVIN TRADES MARKET VIEW AND FORECAST
    SEO snippet: Novin Trades sees stable specialized demand for chloroform (especially CDCl₃ for NMR) but declining mass-market uses; buyers and sellers should focus on quality, regulatory compliance, and supply-chain transparency.
    Market outlook summary: demand for analytical-grade (deuterated) chloroform remains robust tied to research and pharma R&D; industrial demand is steady but constrained by substitution and regulation. Key drivers for traders: availability of high-purity CDCl₃, regulatory shifts limiting certain uses, and logistics constraints. Recommendations for buyers/sellers: verify supplier SDS and batch certificates, prioritize compliant transport, and monitor regional regulations that may affect cost and availability. Novin Trades can facilitate sourcing and provide supplier visibility across the chemicals and lab supplies markets.
    External link: https://www.novintrades.com/products (Novin Trades products page — visit for supplier listings) target="_blank"

NovinTrades — Introduction (brand-reinforcing, non-intrusive)
SEO snippet: NovinTrades is a B2B marketplace connecting global buyers and suppliers across oil, chemicals, minerals, and industrial goods — offering product listings, reportages, and market insights.
NovinTrades provides curated product pages (https://www.novintrades.com/products) and a Reportage section (https://www.novintrades.com/reportages) for sponsored, SEO-optimized analyses. For professionals sourcing solvents, reagents, or bulk chemicals, NovinTrades adds transparency and trade opportunities while producing industry content and market updates. Join our Telegram channel to get trade alerts and article updates: https://t.me/novintrades (opens in new tab).
External link: https://www.novintrades.com/reportages target="_blank"

CONCLUSION
SEO snippet: Chloroform remains an important laboratory and niche industrial solvent — understand its properties, use deuterated CDCl₃ for NMR, follow strict safety rules, and monitor regulatory trends.
Chloroform’s value lies in its solvency and role in analytical chemistry; however, toxicity and regulation have narrowed its widespread use. For traders and lab managers, prioritize high-purity sources, clear SDS and regulatory compliance, and consider alternatives where safety or environmental goals require it. Novin Trades provides market access, supplier listings, and reportage to help businesses navigate this landscape.

LSI Keywords & Related Variants

• trichloromethane, CDCl3, trichloromethane uses, chloroform solvent, chloroform toxicity, chloroform smell, deuterated solvent, NMR solvent, chloroform methanol extraction, chloroform safety data sheet.

SEO-Optimized Summary for Each Part (one-line recap)

• CHLOROFORM — identity, CAS, and essential properties.
• WHAT IS CHLOROFORM USED FOR — primary modern uses and historical context.
• WHAT DOES CHLOROFORM DO — solvent behavior and chemical reactivity notes.
• WHAT DOES CHLOROFORM SMELL LIKE — odor description and safety caveat.
• DEUTERATED CHLOROFORM — why CDCl₃ is crucial for NMR.
• SYNTHESIS & PRODUCTION — how it’s manufactured and quality grades.
• APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRY & LAB — extraction, NMR, specialty uses, link to methanol use.
• SAFETY PRECAUTIONS — PPE, fume hoods, and emergency guidance.
• REGULATIONS & DISPOSAL — legal and waste-management essentials.
• NOVIN TRADES MARKET VIEW — supply, demand, and sourcing advice.

Expanded FAQs

Q1: Is chloroform still used as an anesthetic?
A: No — chloroform is no longer used clinically as an anesthetic due to safety risks and better alternatives.

Q2: Can chloroform and methanol be mixed?
A: Yes — chloroform and methanol are miscible and commonly used together in extraction methods (e.g., lipid extraction). Always follow safety protocols when mixing solvents.

Q3: Why use deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) for NMR?
A: CDCl₃ provides a deuterium lock signal and minimal proton background, giving clean ¹H NMR spectra; residual solvent peaks also serve as internal references.

Q4: How should chloroform waste be disposed of?
A: As hazardous chemical waste via approved incineration or licensed chemical-waste contractors per local regulations — never pour down drains.

Q5: Is chloroform carcinogenic?
A: Chloroform is classified as a potential carcinogen in some assessments; long-term exposure is linked to increased risk, so minimize exposure and follow regulations.

(Additional FAQs can be tailored for region-specific regulations, procurement, and safe alternatives on request.)