Bromoform
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Tribromomethane
| |
| Other names
Methane tribromide
Methenyl tribromide Methyl tribromide | |
| Properties | |
| CHBr3 | |
| Molar mass | 252.731 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid |
| Odor | Sweet, typical halocarbon |
| Density | 2.8912 g/cm3 (20 °C) |
| Melting point | 8.3 °C (46.9 °F; 281.4 K) |
| Boiling point | 149.5 °C (301.1 °F; 422.6 K) |
| 0.1 g/100 ml (20 °C) | |
| Solubility | Miscible with acetone, benzene, chloroform, DCM, diethyl ether, ethanol, hexane, methanol, oils, petroleum ether, pyridine, toluene, xylene |
| Vapor pressure | 5.025 mmHg at 20 °C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 13.7 |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
6.1–12.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
933 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| LC50 (Median concentration)
|
1,151 ppm (mammal) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Chloroform Iodoform |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Bromoform is a brominated organic solvent, colorless liquid at room temperature, with a high refractive index, very high density, and sweet odor is similar to that of chloroform. It is one of the four haloforms, the others being fluoroform, chloroform and iodoform. Bromoform has the chemical formula CHBr3.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Partial reduction of bromoform yields dibromomethane.
Physical
Bromoform is a dense colorless liquid at standard conditions, with a high refractive index, with a sweet odor typical of halocarbons and immiscible with water and polar solvents, but miscible with most non-polar solvents.
Availability
Bromoform is sold by chemical suppliers.
Small amounts of bromoform are produced by seaweed.
Preparation
Bromoform can be prepared by the haloform reaction using a methyl ketone like acetone and sodium hypobromite.
- (CH3)2C=O + 3 NaOBr → CHBr3 + 2 NaOH + CH3COONa
Sodium hypobromite can be prepared by adding bromine to sodium hydroxide.
Other routes involve the electrolysis of potassium bromide in ethanol, or by treating chloroform with aluminium bromide.
Projects
- Extraction solvent
- Separation of minerals by density
- Compound collecting
Handling
Safety
Bromoform is harmful and exposure may cause irritation to the respiratory tract, the eyes and the skin, and may cause effects on the central nervous system and liver, resulting in impaired functions. It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that bromoform is not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity, however the EPA classifies bromoform as a probable human carcinogen.
Storage
In closed amber glass bottles with a suitable cap, in a dark place away from heat and light. Ethanol is sometimes used as stabilizer.
Disposal
Bromoform should be first diluted, before destroyed with a solution of sodium hydroxide.
