Antimony pentachloride

It is a colourless oil, but typical samples are yellowish due to dissolved chlorine.

Owing to its tendency to hydrolyse to hydrochloric acid, SbCl5 is a highly corrosive substance and must be stored in glass or PTFE containers.

[6] This compounds reacts with water to form antimony pentoxide and hydrochloric acid:[7] The mono- and tetrahydrates are known, SbCl5·H2O and SbCl5·4H2O.

[10] For example aromatic ethers are oxidized to their radical cations according to the following stoichiometry:[11] Antimony pentachloride is used as a polymerization catalyst and for the chlorination of organic compounds.

It is a chlorinating agent and, in the presence of moisture, it releases hydrogen chloride gas.

Antimony pentachloride
Antimony pentachloride
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gas Flammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. water Instability 1: Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. E.g. calcium Special hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acid