320 CONSIDERATION OF CARBON COMPOUNDS. 



5. Heat some chloroform with solution of potassium hydroxide and 

 a little alcohol. Chloroform is decomposed into potassium chloride 

 and formate : 



CHCL, -f 4KOH = 3KC1 + KCHO 2 + 2H 2 O. 



Divide solution into two portions. Acidulate one portion with 

 nitric acid, boil, and add silver nitrate : white precipitate of silver 

 nitrate. To second portion add a little water of ammonia and a 

 crystal of silver nitrate : a mirror of metallic silver will be formed 

 after heating slightly. 



6. Add to 1 c.c. of chloroform about 0.3 gramme of resorcin in 

 solution, and 3 drops of solution of sodium hydroxide ; boil strongly : 

 a yellowish-red color is produced, and the liquid shows a beautiful 

 yellow-green fluorescence. (Chloral shows the same reaction.) 



In cases of poisoning chloroform is generally to be sought for in the lungs 

 and blood, which are placed in a flask connected with a tube of difficultly 

 fusible glass. By heating the flask the chloroform is expelled and decomposed 

 in the heated glass tube, as stated above in reaction 4. Another portion of 

 chloroform should be distilled without decomposing it, and the distillate tested 

 as above stated. 



What has been said above regarding antidotes to chloral holds good for 

 chloroform also. 



Bromoform, CHBr 3 ( Dibromomethyl bromide). Obtained by gradu- 

 ally adding bromine to a cold solution of potassium hydroxide in 

 methyl alcohol until the color is no longer discharged, and rectifying 

 over calcium chloride. 



Bromoform is a colorless liquid which has an aromatic odor and a 

 sweettaste. Sp.gr.2.9; B. P. 150C. (302 F.) ; solidifiesat 9C. 

 (158 F.). It is sparingly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and 

 ether. Its physiological action is similar to that of chloroform. 



lodoform, lodoformum, CHI 3 = 292.6 (Diiodomethyl iodide). 

 This compound is analogous in its constitution to chloroform and 

 bromoform. It is made by heating together an aqueous solution of 

 an alkali carbonate, iodine, and alcohol until the brown color of 

 iodine has disappeared ; on cooling, iodoform is deposited in yellow 

 scales, which are well washed with water and dried between filtering 

 paper. (For an explanation of the chemical changes taking place see 

 above, under chloral and chloroform.) 



lodoform occcurs in small, lemon-yellow, lustrous crystals, having 

 a peculiar, penetrating odor, and an unpleasant, sweetish taste ; it is 



