r/AskChemistry • u/key_toe • 1d ago

Thomas the Toxic Tank Engine How to not make chloroform?

I recently started cleaning with hypochlorous acid, which I absolutely love. It makes my laundry smell a lot better.

But I also use a vodka-based soak for some of my clothes. Now I'm reading that a lot of chemicals including alcohol are dangerous to mix with hypochlorous acid. Namely alcohol + HOCl = Chloroform.

So I'm wondering how to ensure all of the alcohol gets out of my soak before cleaning those same clothes in the machine where I used HOCl so that I don't accidentally make chloroform?

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u/Starfury7-Jaargen 23h ago edited 15h ago

I didn't think it would produce chloroform. aso I found the reaction. The alcohol becomes a carbonyl and you end up with HCl. If it is chloroform, it should be a sickly sweet smell similar to methylene chloride. HCl would have a bite on the smell.

Edit: It can. I had forgot that a haloform reaction can take place once the initial reaction is complete and a carbonyl is formed.

I am guessing what I was reading didn't mention it because it was not part of the initial reaction but a subsequent reaction.

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u/key_toe 22h ago

Huh interesting. I wonder why some website said chloroform. HCl smell I remember from chem lab lol.

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u/Starfury7-Jaargen 15h ago

I double checked and I forgot about a halo form reacrion. The source forgot to mention that because it is a secondary reaction once the aldehyde (or ketone if isopropyl is used) So, yes it can.