The reaction of chloroform with methanol to produce methyl chloroform and hydrogen chloride gas is a classic example of a nucleophilic substitution reaction. In this reaction, the methanol molecule acts as the nucleophile, attacking the chloroform molecule and displacing the chloride ion. The reaction can be represented as follows:

CHCl3 + CH3OH → CH3Cl + HCl

The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, such as aluminum chloride or iron(III) chloride. The catalyst helps to polarize the chloroform molecule, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack.

The reaction is typically carried out at reflux, meaning that the mixture is heated until it begins to boil. This helps to drive the reaction to completion.

Once the reaction is complete, the products can be separated by distillation. Methyl chloroform is a volatile liquid with a boiling point of 61 °C, while hydrogen chloride gas is a colorless gas with a boiling point of -85 °C.

This reaction is an important industrial process for the production of methyl chloroform, which is used as a solvent and a cleaning agent.