Fluoroform is a chemical compound with the formula CHF3. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first sound is /fl/, which is a combination of the consonants /f/ and /l/. The second sound is /ʊər/, which is a combination of the vowels /ʊ/ and /ər/. The third sound is /fɔːm/, which is a combination of the consonant /f/ and the diphthong /ɔː/ and the consonant /m/. Fluoroform is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor, and it is commonly used as a refrigerant.
Fluoroform is a colorless, odorless gas chemical compound with the molecular formula CHF3. It belongs to the class of haloalkanes, specifically a halomethane, where one of the hydrogen atoms of methane is replaced with a fluorine atom. It is one of the simplest and most stable fluorocarbon compounds known.
Fluoroform is commonly referred to as trifluoromethane due to the presence of three fluorine atoms in its structure. It is primarily produced synthetically and is highly volatile, typically existing as a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It is non-flammable, non-corrosive, and chemically inert, making it a useful compound in various industrial applications.
Due to its unique properties, fluoroform finds significant application in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning, and the production of foams and plastics. It is commonly used as a refrigerant in these industries, especially in situations where non-toxic, non-flammable, and energy-efficient alternatives are sought. Additionally, fluoroform is also utilized as a feedstock in the production of various fluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
However, fluoroform exhibits high global warming potential, contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and the acceleration of climate change. Therefore, its usage is being increasingly regulated and reduced in recent years, with the aim of phasing it out for greener alternatives in the future.
A gas, CHF3, resembling chloroform somewhat.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "fluoroform" is derived from the combination of two components: "fluoro-" and "-form".
The prefix "fluoro-" originates from the chemical element fluorine (symbol F), which belongs to the halogen group. Fluorine is known for its highly reactive nature and is often used in various chemical compounds.
The suffix "-form" comes from the term "formyl" or "formal". In organic chemistry, this term is used to refer to a radical or functional group called a "formyl group" or "aldehyde group", which consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and hydrogen atom (-CHO).
Combining these two parts, "fluoroform" refers to a compound that contains fluorine along with the formyl or aldehyde group.