CCl3CHO
CCl3CHO, also known as 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde or chloral, is an organochlorine aldehyde with the formula C2HCl3O. It consists of a formyl group (CHO) attached to a trichloromethyl substituent (CCl3). The compound is a colorless, reactive liquid at room temperature.
The aldehyde carbonyl is strongly electrophilic due to the electron-withdrawing CCl3 group, making chloral highly reactive
Chloral is typically prepared by chlorination of acetaldehyde under controlled conditions, in which the three hydrogens
In aqueous media, chloral exists in equilibrium with chloral hydrate. It can react with alcohols to form
Chloral is used as the precursor to chloral hydrate, a sedative and hypnotic that was widely employed
Safety considerations for chloral are significant. It is toxic and potentially harmful if inhaled, ingested, or