PRODUCT PROFILE Chloroform is a colourless, neutral liquid, heavier than water and of characteristic sweetish odour. It is completely miscible with almost any solvents but only sparingly with water and shows excellent solvency power to most organic chemicals and materials. Chloroform is non-inflammable and its vapours form no explosive mixtures with air. Chloroform has a multitude of natural sources, both biogenic and abiotic. It is estimated that greater than 90% of atmospheric chloroform is of natural origin. At normal temperature and pressures, chloroform is a highly volatile, clear, colourless, heavy, highly refractive, non-flammable liquid. Chloroform is a more effective anaesthetic than nitrous oxide. The metabolism of chloroform in the body is dose-dependent; it may be proportionally higher at lower levels of exposure. A substantial but variable percentage of chloroform from inspired air is retained in the body; it is extensively metabolized by the liver. Metabolites of chloroform include phosgene, carbene and chlorine, all of which may contribute to its cytotoxic activity. Product characteristics • Appearance - Colorless • Molecular weight - 113.4 • Chemical formula - CHCl3 • Flash point - none • Boiling point - 61.15°C - 61.70°C • Vapour pressure - 21.15 kPa at 20°C • Viscosity ( 20°C ) - 1-3 cps. • Solubility in water - 10.62g/kg at O°C; 8.95g/kg at 10°C; 8.22g/kg at 20°C • Specific Gravity - 1.483 at 20°C Applications: • Chloroform is used as raw material for the production of HCFC 22 (R 22), which is used as refrigerant and precursor for fluoropolymers (PTFE and derivatives). • It can be used as feedstock for methyl and ethylorthoformate • Used as solvent in the industrial synthesis of pharmaceuticals and chemicals as well as for extraction purposes. • Used as a solvent and cleansing agent and in refrigerants: formerly used as an inhalation anaesthetic. • Used as processing / extraction solvent in pharmaceuticals. • Used principally as a precursor for Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22). • Chloroform is used in pesticide formulations, as a solvent and as a chemical intermediate. GLOBAL SCENARIO: Globally, about 90-95% of the chloroform is used as a precursor for HCFC-22, which is used in refrigerants and fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE). The demand for HCFC-22 in fluoropolymers is expected to witness growth, though the product’s demand in emissive applications, such as refrigerants, is expected to witness a gradual decline. However, growing environmental concerns and implementation of stringent regulations have contributed to a contraction in demand for HCFC-22 across majority of the developed countries in the past decade. Indian production is estimate 47000 metric tones per annum and global demand for Chloroform is estimated around 0.66 million metric tonnes per annum. The overall global consumption of chloroform is projected to decline, owing to the adoption of stringent regulatory framework for restricting the use of ozone depleting substances, such as HCFCs, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and carbon tetrachlorides. Global chloroform consumption is likely to be 0.64 million tonnes per annum by 2015.