Navigating the intricate field of chemical labelling, our proficiency spans a diverse range of substances, from everyday household products to the most deadliest of compounds. Take a deeper dive with us into this spectrum as we unravel the intricacies surrounding a particular chemical that frequently graces our labels—Trichloromethane (chloroform).
Exploring the Mysteries of Chloroform: From Anesthesia to Crime Scenes
Chloroform, otherwise known as trichloromethane (CHCl3), or methyl trichloride, is a captivating organic compound with a rich history and a complex array of uses. Its formula, CHCl3, hides within it a volatile, colourless liquid with a distinctive, sweet smell. It is miscible with many solvents but it is only very slightly soluble in water.
The name ‘chloroform’ is a blend-word coined in 1834 by French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas from chloro – a combining form meaning ‘chlorine’ + formique ‘formic (acid)’.
The Birth of Chloroform: From Chemical Reaction to Industrial Wonder
Chloroform is a naturally occurring chemical; many kinds of seaweed produce chloroform, and fungi are believed to produce chloroform in soil, but most of it is man-made.
Industrially, chloroform is crafted through the alchemical dance of chlorine and either methylene chloride (CH3Cl) or methane (CH4). Heat the mixture between 400–500 °C, and a mesmerizing free radical halogenation unfolds, transforming these precursors into progressively more chlorinated compounds. The final product emerges as chloroform, ready to take its place in the world.
An alternate birthplace for chloroform involves the combination of methyl ethyl ketone (similar to nail polish remover) and sodium hypochlorite (akin to bleach). This concoction results in chloroform, showcasing the compound’s versatility in creation.
Chloroform’s Versatile History: Anaesthesia, Wars, and Controversy
In 1831, American chemist Dr. Samuel Guthrie pioneered the synthesis of chloroform by blending whiskey with chlorinated lime in a copper still, envisioning it as an economical pesticide, and inadvertently producing chloroform. Fast forward to 1847, when Scottish physician Sir James Young Simpson made a groundbreaking discovery, self-experimenting with the sweet-smelling liquid as an anaesthetic. Every evening, post-dinner, Simpson, along with two assistants, engaged in a routine of experimenting with various chemicals to explore potential anaesthetic effects. Among their discoveries, chloroform emerged as a standout contender and in a matter of days, Simpson applied it in minor surgeries by saturating a sponge or cloth and having the patient inhale the vapours.
However, chloroform came with higher risks compared to the likes of ether, demanding greater skill from physicians during administration. The early years witnessed many fatalities and accurate dosing became crucial, distinguishing between an effective amount for surgical insensibility and a potentially lethal dose that paralysed the lungs.
Despite the growing awareness of risks, chloroform gained popularity. In 1853, it gained significant attention when administered to Queen Victoria during the birth of her eighth child, Prince Leopold. Victoria, who had struggled through seven previous births, described it as “Soothing, quieting and delightful beyond measure.”
The compound became a lifesaver in wars such as the Crimean, Punjab, and American Civil conflicts, sparing soldiers from excruciating surgical experiences.
However, not all applications were benevolent. Chloroform took on the role of a questionable cure for ailments like gonorrhoea and found itself sweetening medicines – chloroform is 40 times sweeter than sugar!
Chloroform’s Dark Side: Crime, Controversy, and Clichés
As the sun set on chloroform’s medical prominence, a darker chapter unfolded. As early as 1851 it was public knowledge that chloroform had been used for various criminal purposes as witnessed by a well-known cartoon in Punch magazine of that year.
In criminal hands, chloroform became a highly effective tool of manipulation and control. Criminals seized upon its potent properties to rob, rape and even murder victims. From Joseph Harris robbing people in 1894 to H. H. Holmes employing chloroform overdoses in serial killings, the compound found itself embroiled in a world of crime and infamy.
Perhaps nurtured by the public press, it was believed that highway robbers, thieves and rapists could, by shaking a handkerchief impregnated with chloroform under the nose of the victim, produce instantaneous insensibility. However, reality diverges from fiction; rendering someone unconscious with chloroform-soaked rags is nearly impossible. It takes at least five minutes of inhaling chloroform to induce unconsciousness, and criminal cases involving chloroform often involve co-administered drugs or complicit victims.