Making chloroform is a process that requires a mix of laboratory equipment, chemicals and safety gear. Chloroform is a dangerous chemical that can cause terminal diseases and even death if it is not administered correctly. The chemical should always be treated with care and only handled with absolute knowledge and the proper precautions. While it is possible to make chloroform at home but, where possible, it should be carried out in a laboratory. Before beginning to make chloroform you will need to make sure that you have the following equipment; bleach, pure acetone, ice, glassware and a separation funnel. Once you have all of the necessary tool and are properly protected with good safety equipment, you can follow the steps below:
• First, fill the glass container with half a liter of bleach. Ensure that the container is one that you can see into clearly. Lower the temperature of the bleach by adding ice and allowing it to cool.
• A ratio of 1:50, one part acetone to 50 parts bleach, needs to be maintained so add 10ml of acetone to the bleach in the container. Add ice again to keep the liquid cool. Failure to do so will cause the bleach to emit fumes of chloroform and bleach.
• Leave the mixture aside for 20 minutes to ensure that it reacts fully. It will be possible to tell when it has because the liquid will become cloudy and there will be an increase in temperature.
• Now allow time for the reaction to settle. Typically this will take around half an hour but if the solution does not appear to be settling, try stirring it before waiting again.
• White powder residue or a bubble at the bottom of the glass container is the chloroform and shows that the reaction has taken place and settled. You will need to pour the solution away carefully and make sure that the powder or bubble does not come out. The remaining chloroform will then need to be extracted with the separation funnel.
Making chloroform at home is dangerous, and it is not really recommended; after all, the chemicals in chloroform are flammable, and, if inhaled, they may cause the maker to pass out while tending to hot fluid used in the preparation process.
For this reason, it's always better to follow federal laws regarding obtaining and using chloroform. Using chloroform on another person, with or without their consent, is also dangerous, and may have serious legal consequences.
Chloroform was created in the early 19th century, by a French scientist; in the early days, this new product was used to anesthetize patients before surgery. Lately, the image of chloroform has grown darker, as this substance has been used to subdue victims before kidnapping, rape, or even murder.
The controversial Casey Anthony trial centered on evidence that the "Florida-based tot mom" searched the Internet for information about how to make chloroform shortly before her tiny toddler daughter, Caylee, disappeared. Making chloroform requires the use of chemicals, such as acetone, along with powder bleach, water, ice and heat. Home recipes for chloroform may not be as effective as chloroform produced by pharmaceutical companies; however, chloroform is not readily available over the counter.
Chloroform Facts
The materials that are needed to make chloroform are acetone, water, ice, shock powder, and a jug or other container. Shock powder is calcium hypochlorite.
Chloroform has the formula CHCl3 and is an organic compound. It is a colorless, sweet smelling liquid that is somewhat dense and is considered to be a hazard. Before Teflon and refrigerants, several million tons of chloroform were produced every year.
Coincidentally, chloroform was discovered by three different researchers who were all working independently of each other. It was reported by the French chemist Eugene Soubeiran in 1831, who had made it from acetone (2-propanone) and ethanol through the action of calcium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach powder). An American physician, Samuel Guthrie made gallons of it and Justus von Liebig also gave descriptions of chloroform although it hadn't been given this name by then. This was done in 1834 when it was named and the chemicals were characterized by Jean-Baptiste Dumas.
Chloroform can be found in many natural sources, both abiotic and biogenic. It has been estimated that more than 90 per cent of atmospheric chloroform is from natural origins. It is produced by many types of seaweeds (brown, red and green), and the macroalga, Eucheuma denticulatum, which is cultivated and harvested for carrageenan produces chloroform.
Once upon a time chloroform was used quite regularly as an anesthetic and to aid sleep, but it can be dangerous and addictive. It acts by slowing and depressing the central nervous system and so was found to have beneficial properties, but it soon became apparent that there can be long term negative effects and even death from exposure to chloroform. Even with reasonable doses it can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. Kidney and liver problems have also been reported as well as physical defects in the children of users.
• First, fill the glass container with half a liter of bleach. Ensure that the container is one that you can see into clearly. Lower the temperature of the bleach by adding ice and allowing it to cool.
• A ratio of 1:50, one part acetone to 50 parts bleach, needs to be maintained so add 10ml of acetone to the bleach in the container. Add ice again to keep the liquid cool. Failure to do so will cause the bleach to emit fumes of chloroform and bleach.
• Leave the mixture aside for 20 minutes to ensure that it reacts fully. It will be possible to tell when it has because the liquid will become cloudy and there will be an increase in temperature.
• Now allow time for the reaction to settle. Typically this will take around half an hour but if the solution does not appear to be settling, try stirring it before waiting again.
• White powder residue or a bubble at the bottom of the glass container is the chloroform and shows that the reaction has taken place and settled. You will need to pour the solution away carefully and make sure that the powder or bubble does not come out. The remaining chloroform will then need to be extracted with the separation funnel.
Making chloroform at home is dangerous, and it is not really recommended; after all, the chemicals in chloroform are flammable, and, if inhaled, they may cause the maker to pass out while tending to hot fluid used in the preparation process.
For this reason, it's always better to follow federal laws regarding obtaining and using chloroform. Using chloroform on another person, with or without their consent, is also dangerous, and may have serious legal consequences.
Chloroform was created in the early 19th century, by a French scientist; in the early days, this new product was used to anesthetize patients before surgery. Lately, the image of chloroform has grown darker, as this substance has been used to subdue victims before kidnapping, rape, or even murder.
The controversial Casey Anthony trial centered on evidence that the "Florida-based tot mom" searched the Internet for information about how to make chloroform shortly before her tiny toddler daughter, Caylee, disappeared. Making chloroform requires the use of chemicals, such as acetone, along with powder bleach, water, ice and heat. Home recipes for chloroform may not be as effective as chloroform produced by pharmaceutical companies; however, chloroform is not readily available over the counter.
Chloroform Facts
- Chloroform has a sweet fragrance, and it is devoid of color. Some people who attempt to make chloroform at home use brown or green seaweeds, which contain the right chemical composition to create chloroform.
- The chemical composition of this organic compound is CHCl3.
- Many scientists and doctors believe that chloroform is a carcinogen, or cancer-causing compound. Chloroform, which is used in dry cleaning businesses, or in pool cleaning businesses (to name a few examples), may leech into public waterways and affect the public drinking water supply. Watchdog organizations that monitor chemical pollution are always interested in the levels of chloroform appearing in the public water supply.
The materials that are needed to make chloroform are acetone, water, ice, shock powder, and a jug or other container. Shock powder is calcium hypochlorite.
Chloroform has the formula CHCl3 and is an organic compound. It is a colorless, sweet smelling liquid that is somewhat dense and is considered to be a hazard. Before Teflon and refrigerants, several million tons of chloroform were produced every year.
Coincidentally, chloroform was discovered by three different researchers who were all working independently of each other. It was reported by the French chemist Eugene Soubeiran in 1831, who had made it from acetone (2-propanone) and ethanol through the action of calcium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach powder). An American physician, Samuel Guthrie made gallons of it and Justus von Liebig also gave descriptions of chloroform although it hadn't been given this name by then. This was done in 1834 when it was named and the chemicals were characterized by Jean-Baptiste Dumas.
Chloroform can be found in many natural sources, both abiotic and biogenic. It has been estimated that more than 90 per cent of atmospheric chloroform is from natural origins. It is produced by many types of seaweeds (brown, red and green), and the macroalga, Eucheuma denticulatum, which is cultivated and harvested for carrageenan produces chloroform.
Once upon a time chloroform was used quite regularly as an anesthetic and to aid sleep, but it can be dangerous and addictive. It acts by slowing and depressing the central nervous system and so was found to have beneficial properties, but it soon became apparent that there can be long term negative effects and even death from exposure to chloroform. Even with reasonable doses it can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. Kidney and liver problems have also been reported as well as physical defects in the children of users.
