Bismuth chloride
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Bismuth chloride
| |
| Other names
Bismuth trichloride
Bismuth(III) chloride Trichlorobismuth Trichlorobismuthine | |
| Properties | |
| BiCl3 | |
| Molar mass | 315.34 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid, hygroscopic |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 4.75 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 227 °C (441 °F; 500 K) |
| Boiling point | 447 °C (837 °F; 720 K) |
| Hydrolyzes | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, diethyl ether, methanol, THF Slightly soluble in toluene |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
-1.202 kJ/g |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
3,324 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Antimony(III) chloride |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Bismuth chloride (also called bismuth(III) chloride or bismuth trichloride) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula BiCl3, a colorless hygroscopic solid, which readily hydrolyzes in moist air.
Since bismuth(V) chloride doesn't exist, the name bismuth(III) chloride is not always used nor required.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Bismuth chloride readily hydrolyzes in moist air, forming bismuth oxychloride and hydrochloric acid. BiCl3 hydrolyzes slower than its antimony equivalent, it takes more than 1 minute for any signs of visible hydrolysis in open air.
Physical
Bismuth chloride is a hygroscopic colorless compound, which reacts with water, but is soluble in organic solvents, like diethyl ether, dioxane and THF.
Availability
Bismuth chloride is sold by chemical suppliers, though it's not cheap.
Preparation
Can be prepared by reacting bismuth metal with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Recrystallization should be done from conc. HCl to limit hydrolysis. A water-free route involves reacting bismuth metal with chlorine gas.
The crude bismuth trichloride obtained is purified by subliming it under vacuum above 200 °C and condensing it on a cold finger. Use a cold trap to prevent corrosive HCl and BiCl3 fumes from getting sucked up in the pump and destroying it.
Projects
- Make bismuth metal
- Make organobismuth compounds
Handling
Safety
Bismuth chloride is very corrosive and contact with unprotected skin will cause severe dermatitis. It will also stain most types of gloves.
Storage
Bismuth chloride should be kept in air tight containers. Schlenk flasks filled with argon are ideal for storage.
Disposal
Bismuth chloride can be either neutralized with a base, then taken to a waste disposal center or you can reduce it with zinc or aluminium metal to metallic bismuth, which can be recycled, as bismuth is not something often encountered.
References
- Mabus - personal experience with the stuff; it's pretty nasty to work with and without a glovebox or Schlenk line it's extremely difficult to do any kind of reactions.
