The melting point of chloroform is -63.5°C.
Understanding Chloroform's Thermal Properties
Chloroform, a widely utilized organic compound, is known for its distinct physical and chemical properties. Its low melting point is a key characteristic that distinguishes it, making it a liquid at typical room temperatures.
What is Chloroform?
Chloroform is a chemical compound with the formula CHCl₃. It is a colorless, dense liquid with a sweet, pungent odor. Historically, it has been used as an anesthetic and solvent, and despite some environmental and health concerns, industries continue to leverage its high utility and wide range of applications in various processes.
Key Physical Properties of Chloroform
Understanding chloroform's properties is crucial for its safe handling and application. Here's a quick overview of its essential physical characteristics:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | CHCl₃ |
| Molar Mass | 119.38 g/mol |
| Density | 1.49 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | -63.5°C |
| Boiling Point | 61.2°C |
Implications of Chloroform's Melting Point
The melting point of -63.5°C indicates that chloroform remains in a liquid state across a broad range of temperatures that are common in industrial and laboratory settings. This property is significant for several reasons:
- Ease of Handling: Being liquid at ambient temperatures simplifies its storage, transport, and use in various chemical reactions and as a solvent.
- Industrial Applications: Its liquid form and solvent capabilities make it valuable in the production of refrigerants, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. For more general information on chloroform, you can refer to resources like PubChem.
- Phase Transitions: Its melting and boiling points define the temperature range where chloroform exists as a solid, liquid, or gas, which is critical for processes requiring specific phase control.
Chloroform's Role in Industry
Despite its low melting point and other physical properties, chloroform's primary value in industry stems from its efficacy as a solvent and its role as a building block in organic synthesis. It is still used for:
- Extraction processes: Separating compounds from mixtures.
- Chemical reactions: As a reactant or solvent in the synthesis of other chemicals.
- Laboratory analysis: In various analytical techniques where a non-polar solvent is required.
Chemical Properties
