Chemical Properties
Bismuth trichloride is white crystal and crystalline powder
Physical properties
Yellowish-white crystalline solid; cubic crystals; hygroscopic; density 4.75g/cm3; melts at 230°C; vaporizes at 447°C; vapor pressure 5 torr at 242°C; reacts with water; soluble in acids, alcohol and acetone.
Uses
Bismuth chloride (Bi3+ + 3Cl1- → BiCl3) reacts with water to produce what is known as
“bismuth white” pigment.
Uses
Bismuth trichloride used as catalyst for organic reactions.
Uses
In the manufacture of other bismuth salts; as catalyst for organic reactions.
Definition
Bismuth trichloride is a white deliquescent solid. It can be prepared by direct combination of bismuth and chlorine. Bismuth(III) chloride dissolves in excess dilute hydrochloric acid to form a clear liquid, but if diluted it produces a white precipitate of bismuth(III) chloride oxide (bismuthyl chloride, BiOCl): BiCl3 + H2O = BiOCl + 2HCl This reaction is often used as an exam ple of a reversible reaction and as a confirmatory test for bismuth during quantitative analysis. Bismuth(V) chloride does not form.
Preparation
Bismuth chloride may be synthesized directly by passing chlorine over bismuth. Alternatively, the chloride salt may be prepared by adding hydrochloric acid to basic bismuth chloride and evaporating the solution:
Bi(OH)2Cl + 2HCl → BiCl3 + 2H2O
Also, the compound can be prepared by dissolving bismuth in concentrated nitric acid and then adding solid sodium chloride into this solution. Another method of preparation is treating the metal with concentrated hydrochloric acid:
2Bi + 6HCl → 2BiCl3 + 3H2.
General Description
Bismuth(III) chloride is an inorganic salt that can be prepared by the reaction of bismuth with chlorine.
Purification Methods
Sublime the trichloride under high vacuum, or dry it under a current of HCl gas, followed by fractional distillation, once under HCl and once under argon. It is deliquescent. [Schenk in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I p 621 1963.]
