Question

Which of the following can prepare chloroform?
A.Methane
B.Ethyne
C.Ethanol
D.Both A and C

Answer 1

To answer this question, you should recall the concept of preparation and properties of chloroform. The IUPAC name for chloroform is trichloromethane.

Complete step by step answer:
Chloroform is an organic chemical compound initially employed as an ideal anesthetic. It was first prepared in 1831. The chemical formula is ${\text{CHC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{3}}}$.
Methane on chlorination in presence of the sunlight gives chloroform as a product:
${\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_4} + 3{\text{C}}{{\text{l}}_2}\xrightarrow{{h\nu }}3{\text{HCl + CHC}}{{\text{l}}_3}$
Ethanol on chlorination followed by hydrolysis gives chloroform as a product:
${\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{OH}} + {\text{C}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\xrightarrow[{{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}}]{{h\nu }}{\text{CHC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{3}}}$

Hence, the correct option is D.

Additional Information:
Chloroform is released in the air as a result of its formation when chlorination is performed in public open drinking water, wastewater and swimming pools. It is also used as a lacrimator in industries. It is harmful to humans and chloroform inhalation exposure shows shortness of breath, and nose and throat irritation. Acute inhalation can lead to neurological symptoms and systemic symptoms such as agitation, nausea and vomiting accompanied by ataxia, dizziness, drowsiness. Chloroform effectively makes a human unconscious by disrupting the functions of intercellular protein synthesis. Doctors will use a cloth mask with a constant drip of chloroform (or ether) onto it, placed over the nose and mouth with a wireframe, to knock someone out with chloroform.

Note:
Chloroform is a volatile and colourless liquid which is a trichloromethane derivative with a smell similar to an ether. Formerly used during surgery as an inhaled anaesthetic, the main application of chloroform today is in agriculture, where it is used as a solvent, and also particularly in the manufacture of the refrigerant freon.