What is it? Iodoform is the organoiodine compound with the formula CHI3. A pale yellow, crystalline, volatile substance, it has a penetrating and distinctive odor. Sometimes it's odor is referred to as the smell of hospitals. It is occasionally used as a disinfectant. Also known as... Tri-iodomethane Carbon triiodide Methyl triiodide Properties Molecular Weight: 393.732 g/mol Melting Point: 119 °C Boiling Point: 218 °C Color: Yellow powder or crystals Odor: Characteristic, disagreeable odor Solubility: 7,8 g/100ml Ethanol, 100 mg/l Water Synthesis The synthesis of iodoform was first described by Georges-Simon Serullas in 1822. It is synthesized in the haloform reaction by the reaction of iodine and sodium hydroxide with any one of these four kinds of organic compounds: a methyl ketone (CH3COR), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), ethanol (CH3CH2OH), and certain secondary alcohols (CH3CHROH, where R is an alkyl or aryl group). The reaction of