Why is chloroform ($\ce{CHCl3}$) kept in dark coloured bottles?
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$\begingroup$ I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the answer is quite easily found by typing "why is chloroform kept in dark bottles" into the Google search box. $\endgroup$– Todd Minehardt ♦Aug 21, 2016 at 18:54
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$\begingroup$ @Todd lack of research on itself isn't a close reason. You can down vote instead. $\endgroup$– M.A.R.Aug 21, 2016 at 22:26
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$\begingroup$ @DEAD - My bad. VTC retracted. Thanks for the procedural reminder! $\endgroup$– Todd Minehardt ♦Aug 21, 2016 at 22:27
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$\begingroup$ good point @DEAD $\endgroup$– szentsasAug 21, 2016 at 23:03
1 Answer
In the presence of UV light, chloroform can be oxidized by atmospheric oxygen to phosgene ($\ce{COCl2}$), a toxic gas. The dark colored glass blocks UV light so that phosgene is not produced.