Antimony(III) chloride
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Antimony trichloride
| |
| Preferred IUPAC name
Antimony trichloride | |
| Systematic IUPAC name
Trichlorostibane | |
| Other names
Antimony(III) chloride
Antimonous chloride Butter of antimony Stibous chloride Trichlorostibine | |
| Properties | |
| SbCl3 | |
| Molar mass | 228.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | White deliquescent crystalline solid |
| Odor | Sharp, pungent (moist air) |
| Density | 3.14 g/cm3 (25 °C) 2.51 g/cm3 (150 °C) |
| Melting point | 73.4 °C (164.1 °F; 346.5 K) |
| Boiling point | 223.5 °C (434.3 °F; 496.6 K) |
| 601.1 g/100 ml (0 °C) 985.1 g/100 ml (25 °C) 1,357 g/100 ml (40 °C) (hydrolysis) | |
| Solubility | Soluble in 1,4-dioxane, CS2, CCl4, chloroform, cyclohexane, CH2Cl2, diethyl ether, ethanol, selenium(IV) oxychloride, THF Insoluble in isopropylamine, pyridine, quinoline |
| Solubility in acetic acid | 143.9 g/100 g (0 °C) 205.8 g/100 g (10 °C) 440.5 g/100 g (25 °C) 693.7 g/100 g (45 °C) |
| Solubility in acetone | 537.6 g/100 g (18 °C) |
| Solubility in benzoyl chloride | 139.2 g/100 g (15 °C) 169.5 g/100 g (25 °C) 2.76 kg/100 g (70 °C) |
| Solubility in hydrochloric acid | 20 °C 8.954 g/ g (4.63% w/w) 8.576 g/ g (14.4% w/w) 7.898 g/ g (36.7% w/w) |
| Solubility in p-Cymene | 69.5 g/100 g (-3.5 °C) 85.5 g/100 g (10 °C) 150 g/100 g (30 °C) 2.17 kg/100 g (70 °C) |
| Vapor pressure | 13.33 Pa (18.1 °C) 0.15 kPa (50 °C) 2.6 kPa (100 °C) |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar
entropy (S |
110.5 J·mol-1·K-1 |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
-381.2 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
525 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Antimony(V) chloride |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Antimony(III) chloride or antimony trichloride is a chemical compound with the formula SbCl3.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Antimony(III) chloride rapidly hydrolyzes in moist air to give antimony oxychloride and hydrochloric acid.
- SbCl3 + H2O → SbOCl + 2 HCl
Visible hydrolysis is observed after at least 10 seconds of air exposure.
Physical
Antimony trichloride is a crystalline deliquescent solid, which readily hydrolyzes in moist air. It is soluble in ethers.
Availability
Antimony(III) chloride is sold by chemical suppliers, but it's difficult to get hold of due to its hazards.
Preparation
Antimony(III) chloride can be prepared by reacting elemental antimony with dry chlorine gas. Reaction must be performed in dry environment/atmosphere. The product is purified via sublimation under vacuum, using a cold finger.
- 2 Sb + 3 Cl2 → 2 SbCl3
Another route involves reacting antimony(III) oxide with conc. hydrochloric acid, with a bit of hydrogen peroxide to speed up the reaction. The aq. acid is removed via distillation, leaving in the flask impure SbCl3, which can be purified by distilling it using a short-path distillation apparatus.[1]
For higher purity, it can be dried in a stream of HCl gas.
Antimony trichloride is best purified from old or partially hydrolyzed reagent by subliming it under vacuum and condense it on a cold finger. The temperature at which vacuum sublimation begins is between 185-190 °C. Use a cold trap to prevent corrosive HCl and SbCl3 fumes from getting sucked up in the pump and destroying it.
Projects
- Carr-Price test (detection of vitamin A and related carotenoids)
- Make elemental antimony
- Make antimony organometallic compounds
Handling
Safety
Antimony trichloride readily hydrolyzes in the presence of moisture to release hydrochloric acid which is very corrosive. Contact with most protection gloves will cause them to darken.
Antimony compounds display moderate toxicity.
Storage
Antimony(III) chloride should be stored in dry air-tight containers, best in an inert atmosphere. Schlenk flasks are a common storage container. Ampouling is used for long term storage.
Disposal
Antimony(III) chloride should be neutralized with a base then taken to a waste disposal center.
References
- Mabus - personal experience with the stuff; it's pretty nasty to work with and without a glovebox or Schlenk line it's almost impossible to do any kind of proper reactions.
