Chloroform

Chloroform (CAS 67-66-3) is a halogenated solvent used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology research, and polymer processing.

Where is Chloroform used?

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: process solvent for API synthesis and purification, reducing downstream processing steps
• Biotechnology and life sciences: nucleic acid extraction, including the Chomczynski-Sacchi RNA isolation method
• Polymer processing: dissolves and casts films from polystyrene and polycarbonate
• It also serves as a reaction medium in the synthesis of fluorocarbon intermediates and other halogenated compounds.

Good to know: Typically stabilized with a small amount of ethanol or amylene to prevent phosgene formation during storage. Standard commercial grades include technical, reagent, HPLC, and ACS, with pharmaceutical-grade material available to USP and BP specifications.

Commercial specifications

• Stabilized with ethanol or amylene
• Packaging from laboratory-scale bottles to bulk drums