What does tribromomethane mean?
Tribromomethane is an organohalogen compound whose formula is CHBr3; it is the systematic name of a carbon atom bonded to three bromine atoms and one hydrogen atom. The compound is also widely called bromoform. In laboratory and industrial contexts, it appears in organic synthesis, as a specialized solvent, and as an analyte in environmental or chemical-analysis studies. Its systematic name makes its structure explicit: tri- indicates three bromine substitutions, while methane identifies the parent hydrocarbon. The name bromoform reflects the compound's bromine content and its relationship to the parent compound. Historically, tribromomethane was used medicinally as a sedative and hypnotic, but its potential for serious toxicity limits such use. Today it is encountered chiefly in technical and research settings, where its chemical behavior, rather than its former pharmaceutical role, is the focus. It is therefore both a model systematic chemical name and a reminder that once familiar medical substances may become unsuitable for use once their hazards are understood.
nounTribromomethane is an organohalogen compound with the formula CHBr3, consisting of a carbon atom bonded to three bromine atoms and one hydrogen atom. It is also commonly known as bromoform.
- An organohalogen compound consisting of methane in which all three hydrogen atoms are replaced by bromine atoms; it is also known as bromoform.
"The researchers used tribromomethane as a solvent while analyzing the reaction products."
"The laboratory synthesized tribromomethane for use in a study of halogenated organic compounds."
"Environmental researchers measured tribromomethane levels in water samples."
Pluralization is uncommon because the compound is normally treated as a mass noun in technical writing, though it may be used when individual molecules or examples are counted.
"The study compared the spectral properties of several tribromomethanes."
Once used medicinally as a sedative and hypnotic, bromoform—another name for tribromomethane—is now chiefly encountered in laboratories because of its toxicity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tribromomethane come from?
Tribromomethane combines the prefix tri-, meaning “three,” with bromo-, derived from bromine, and methane, the name of the parent hydrocarbon. The element bromine in turn takes its name from the Greek brōmos, meaning “stench,” a reference to its unpleasant odor; the compound name bromoform also preserves its bromine character.
How tribromomethane is actually used
This is primarily a technical chemical term. The alternative name bromoform is more familiar in historical medical literature and in some laboratory contexts.
Easily confused with tribromomethane
Bromomethane has the formula CH3Br and contains only one bromine atom, whereas tribromomethane has the formula CHBr3 and contains three.