Question

Give the preparation of the following:

PCl₃

Answer 1

In the lab, phosphorus trichloride can be made by heating red phosphorus and then passing dry chlorine gas over it.

\[\ce{P4 + 6Cl2 -> 4PCl3}\]

It may also be prepared by treating phosphorus with thionyl chloride.

\[\ce{P4 + 8SOCl2 -> 4PCl3 + 4SO2 + 2S2Cl2}\]