What is Phosphorus Trichloride?
Phosphorus trichloride is a fuming liquid with the formula PCl3. Phosphorus trichloride is produced by the reaction of yellow phosphorus and chloride. Phosphorus trichloride is a colourless transparent motile liquid. It is the most important phosphorus halogen. Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) is manufactured by burning molten white phosphorus in dry chlorine. An explosion occurs when phosphorus trichloride is brought in contact with nitric or nitrous acid. A phosphorus trichloride produces acute systemic effects by absorption through the skin into the bloodstream.
Other names – Trichlorophosphine, Phosphorus trichloride, Phosphorus chloride
PCl3 |
Phosphorus Trichloride |
Density |
1.57 g/cm³ |
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass |
137.33 g/mol |
Boiling Point |
76.1 °C |
Melting Point |
-93.6 °C |
Chemical Formula |
PCl3 |
Phosphorus Trichloride Structure – PCl3
Physical Properties of Phosphorus Trichloride – PCl3
Odour |
Pungent and irritating odour |
Appearance |
Yellow fuming liquid |
Covalently-Bonded Unit |
1 |
Molecular Geometry |
Trigonal Pyramidal |
Complexity |
8 |
Solubility |
Soluble in water |
Chemical Properties of Phosphorus Trichloride – PCl3
-
- Phosphorus trichloride on further chlorination forms Phosphorus pentachloride. The chemical reaction is given below.
PCl3 + Cl2 → PCl5
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- Phosphorus trichloride dissolves in water forms phosphoric acid and hydrogen chloride. The chemical reaction is given below.
PCl3 + 3H2O → H3PO3 + 3HCl
Uses of Phosphorus Trichloride – PCl3
- The Largest use for phosphorus trichloride is for making phosphorus oxychloride by oxidizing it with oxygen.
- Used as an important intermediate in the production of phosphate ester insecticides.
- Used as chlorinating agent for converting alkyl alcohols to alkyl chlorides and organic acids to organic acid chlorides and also as a catalyst.
- Used in the production of important compounds like phosphorous penta chloride, phosphoryl chloride, thiophosphoryl chloride, pseudohalogens and phosphonic acids.
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