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Chloroform is an organic compound with the chemical formula CHCl3. It is a clear, colourless, volatile, non-flammable liquid with a pleasant, sweet odour, which is detectable at ppm levels. Chloroform is slightly soluble in water. It is miscible with alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide and oils. Chloroform reacts vigorously with strong caustics, strong oxidants, chemically active metals such as aluminium, lithium, magnesium, sodium or potassium, and acetone, causing fire and explosion hazards. It can attack plastic, rubber and coatings. Chloroform decomposes slowly under the influence of light and air. It also decomposes on contact with hot surfaces, flames or fire, forming irritating and toxic fumes, which consist of hydrogen chloride, phosgene and chlorine.[1,2]
