It is a clear flammable liquid at room temperature, colorless when pure but often with a light yellow color.

[1][2] The pharmacological effects of this compound in humans are similar to those of its prodrug chloral hydrate, and of chlorobutanol.

Chronic exposure may result in kidney and liver damage.

[4] 2,2,2-Trichloroethanol can be added to SDS-PAGE gels in order to enable fluorescent detection of proteins without a staining step, for immunoblotting or other analysis methods.

[5] 2,2,2-Trichloroethanol is an effective protecting group for carboxylic acids due to its ease in addition and removal.