Question

Chloretone is formed when chloroform reacts with:
A) formaldehyde
B) acetaldehyde
C) acetone
D) benzaldehyde

Answer 1

Chloretone, having a chemical formula of ${C_4}{H_7}C{l_3}O$, is actually chlorobutanol or chlorbutol. It appears as a white, volatile solid possessing a menthol like odour. It is basically an alcohol-based preservative having no surfactant activity. It also possesses sedative-hypnotic or weak local anesthetic actions apart from the antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Complete step by step solution:
Chloretone or chlorobutanol was synthesized for the first time in 1881 by a German chemist namely Conrad Willgerodt. The IUPAC name of chloretone is 1,1,1-Trichloro-2-methyl propan-2-ol. The reaction of acetone with chloroform in the presence of sodium or potassium hydroxide leads to the formation of chloretone. Actually, the anions present in the reactants i.e. $C{H_3}C{O^ - }$ and $CC{l_3}^ -$ reacts and form bonds with the cations i.e. ${H^ + }$ and $C{H_3}^ +$ respectively, which as a result, leads to the formation of chloretone. It may also undergo sublimation or recrystallization for further purification. The chemical equation for the formation of chloretone has been depicted below:
$C{H_3}COC{H_3} + CC{l_3}\xrightarrow{{KOH}}{C_4}{H_7}C{l_3}O$
It can be written as:

As a result, Chloretone is formed when chloroform reacts with acetone.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Chloretone is a sedative, preservative, hypnotic or a weak local anaesthetic almost similar to chloral hydrate. Being an anesthetic, it mainly possesses effects that are related to the halothane and isoflurane. There are certain harmful effects of chloretone also which generally include the high toxicity to the liver, also causes irritation to the skin and even behaves as a severe eye irritant.