CHCl3I

Chloroiodomethane is a chemical compound with the formula CHCl3I. It is a halogenated methane derivative containing one chlorine atom, one iodine atom, and two hydrogen atoms attached to a central carbon atom. This compound can be synthesized through various halogen exchange reactions. For instance, it can be prepared by reacting trichloromethane (chloroform) with iodine in the presence of a suitable catalyst or by the iodination of dichloromethane. Chloroiodomethane exists as a liquid at room temperature. Its physical properties, such as boiling point and density, are influenced by the presence of both chlorine and iodine. Chemically, the carbon-iodine bond is weaker than the carbon-chlorine bond, making the iodine atom more susceptible to nucleophilic substitution reactions. This reactivity allows chloroiodomethane to be used as a reagent in organic synthesis, particularly in reactions where the introduction of an iodomethyl group is desired. While specific large-scale applications are not widely documented, it finds use in laboratory research for specific synthetic transformations. Safety precautions are necessary when handling this compound due to the potential toxicity associated with halogenated hydrocarbons.