CHLORPICRIN (Nitrochloroform)  , C•NO2•CI3, the product of the distillation of many nitro compounds (picric acid, nitro-methane, &c.) with bleaching powder; it can also be prepared by the action of concentrated nitric acid on chloral or chloroform . A . W. von Hofmann (Anualen, 1866, 139, p . 111) mixed 10 parts of bleaching powder into a paste with cold water and added a solution (saturated at 3o° C.) of 1 part of picric acid . A violent reaction is set up and the chlorpicrin distils over, generally without the necessity for any external heating . It is a colourless liquid of boiling-point 112° C., and of specific gravity 1.692 . It is almost insoluble in water, but is readily soluble in alcohol; it has a sharp smell, and its vapour affects the eyes very powerfully . Iron filings and acetic acid reduce it to trimethylamine, whilst alcoholic ammonia converts it into guanidine, HN:C(NH2)2, and sodium ethylate into ortho-carbonic. ester, C(OC2H5)4• The corresponding brompicrin is also known .