Spectrophotometric Determination of Trichloroethanol in Chloral Hydrate Poisoning

A spectiophotometric method for the analysis of blood and urine has been used to quantify trichlorethanol in fatal chloral hydrate poisonings. Trichloroacetic acid and chloral hydrate do not interfere. A 4 mL blood sample is extracted at the pH of the blood with ether. A reaction product is formed during heating of the ether phase with pyridine and sodium hydroxide. A spectrum of the reaction product has maxima at 368 and 530 nm. Results obtained in fatalities are given.