Which statement is wrong about chloroform?

Options

A. Chloroform is used as anaesthetic
B. Chloroform has distorted tetrahedral shape
C. Chloroform is used as a solvent
D. Chloroform has `sp^(2)`-hybridised carbon atom

Answer

To determine which statement is wrong about chloroform (CHCl₃), we will analyze the given statements one by one.

### Step 1: Analyze the use of chloroform as an anesthetic.
Chloroform is known to be used as an anesthetic in medical procedures. An anesthetic is a substance that induces a loss of sensation. Therefore, this statement is **correct**.

**Hint:** Consider the definition of anesthetics and their applications in medicine.

---

### Step 2: Examine the molecular shape of chloroform.
Chloroform has a carbon atom bonded to three chlorine atoms and one hydrogen atom. The molecular geometry around the carbon atom is determined by the number of bonds and lone pairs. The carbon atom in chloroform has four bonds (three C-Cl bonds and one C-H bond), which gives it a tetrahedral shape. However, due to the high electronegativity of chlorine, the shape is described as distorted tetrahedral. This statement is also **correct**.

**Hint:** Recall the VSEPR theory to understand molecular shapes based on bonding and lone pairs.

---

### Step 3: Confirm the hybridization of the carbon atom in chloroform.
The carbon atom in chloroform forms four sigma bonds and has no lone pairs. The steric number (number of sigma bonds + number of lone pairs) is 4, which corresponds to sp³ hybridization. Therefore, this statement is **correct**.

**Hint:** Use the formula for hybridization: hybridization = (number of sigma bonds + number of lone pairs).

---

### Step 4: Check the statement about chloroform being used as a solvent.
Chloroform is indeed used as a solvent in various chemical reactions and is classified as a non-polar solvent. This statement is **correct**.

**Hint:** Think about the properties of solvents and their applications in organic chemistry.

---

### Step 5: Evaluate the statement regarding the hybridization of the carbon atom.
The statement claims that chloroform has an sp² hybridized carbon atom. However, as established earlier, the carbon atom in chloroform is sp³ hybridized. Therefore, this statement is **wrong**.

**Hint:** Compare the characteristics of sp² and sp³ hybridization to identify the correct hybridization.

---

### Conclusion:
The statement that is wrong about chloroform is that it has an sp² hybridized carbon atom. The correct hybridization of the carbon atom in chloroform is sp³.

**Final Answer:** The wrong statement about chloroform is that it has an sp² hybridized carbon atom.

---