Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪədˌɒfɔːməm] (IPA) 
Iodoformum is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CHI3. It is commonly used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. The spelling of iodoformum is based on its Latin origins, where "iodum" means iodine and "forma" means shape or form. The Latin suffix "-um" is used to indicate a chemical element. In IPA phonetic transcription, iodoformum is spelled as /aɪˈoʊdəʊfɔːrəm/.
Iodoformum, commonly known as iodoform, is a yellowish crystalline solid with a distinctive sweet smell. It is an organic compound composed of carbon, iodine, and hydrogen, with the chemical formula CHI3. Iodoformum has been widely used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields due to its antiseptic and disinfectant properties.
The term "iodoformum" originated from its composition, as it contains iodine. It is classified as a halogenated organic compound due to the presence of the halogen element iodine.
Iodoformum possesses a low solubility in water but is readily soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It is primarily produced through the reaction of ethanol with iodine in the presence of a strong alkaline solution.
In the medical field, iodoformum has been traditionally utilized for the treatment of wounds, as it acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is commonly applied as a powder or dissolved in an oily solution for topical application. However, due to its potential toxicity and adverse effects, alternative antiseptic agents have gained popularity in recent years.
Apart from its medical uses, iodoformum is also employed in organic synthesis, such as in the preparation of various chemical compounds. Its unique chemical properties make it a useful reagent in the laboratory for different reactions and transformations.
Overall, iodoformum is a compound with notable applications in the medical and chemical industries, owing to its antiseptic properties and role as a halogenated organic compound.
Iodoform, triiodomethane, formyl teriodide, CHI3; a lemon-yellow crystalline powder of strong disagreeable odor, obtained by the action of iodine upon various alcohols and other substances in the presence of an alkaline solution; employed as an antiseptic dusting powder to wounds and syphilitic sores and as a local alterative in uterine affections, and internally in gastric catarrh in doses of gr. 1-3 (0.06-0. 2).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "iodoformum" is derived from the combination of two Latin words: "iodum" and "forma".
- "Iodum" refers to the chemical element iodine, which was discovered in 1811 by French chemist Bernard Courtois. The word "iodum" itself is derived from the Greek word "iodes", meaning "violet-colored" due to the iodine's characteristic color.
- "Forma" means "form" or "shape" in Latin. It is used to indicate the shape or structure of a substance.
When these two Latin words are combined, "iodoformum" literally translates to "iodine form" or "the form of iodine". This name likely refers to the characteristic form and appearance of the chemical compound known as iodoform, which consists of carbon, hydrogen, and iodine atoms.
