Question

Chloroform is kept in dark coloured bottles because_____________.

• A. it reacts with clear glass
• B. it undergoes chlorination in transparent glass bottles
• C. it is oxidised to a poisonous gas, phosgene in sunlight
• D. it start burning when exposed to sunlight

Answer 1

The correct option is C it is oxidised to a poisonous gas, phosgene in sunlight

In presence of light, chloroform is oxidized by the air to form carbonyl chloride or phosgene and $HCl$. Phosgene is highly poisonous. That is why it is kept in a colored bottle as it undergoes oxidization in presence of light and air.

$CHC{l}_3+\left[O\right]\to COC{l}_2+HCl$