General Description
White, crystalline powder, becomes violet on exposure to light. Used as a catalyst in chlorinations and in suntan lamps.
Reactivity Profile
Fluorine and THALLOUS CHLORIDE react violently, melting the product [Mellor Supp. 1:63 1956]. When heated to decomposition, THALLOUS CHLORIDE emits very toxic fumes of chloride and thallium. Thallium(I) chloride is vigorously attacked by cold fluorine. A mixture of potassium and thallous chloride produces a weak explosion on impact [EPA, 1998].
Health Hazard
(Non-Specific--Thallium Salts) Poisonous if swallowed. Inhalation of dust is poisonous.
Fire Hazard
(Non-Specific--Thallium Salts) Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. When heated to decomposition, THALLOUS CHLORIDE emits very toxic fumes of chloride and thallium. Thallium(I) chloride is vigorously attacked by cold fluorine. A mixture of potassium and thallous chloride produces a weak explosion on impact.
Chemical Properties
White, crystalline powder; becomes violet
on exposure to light. Slightly soluble in water; insoluble in
alcohol, ammonium hydroxide.
Definition
ChEBI: Thallium monochloride is a thallium molecular entity and an inorganic chloride.
Preparation
Thallium chloride may be prepared by heating the metal with chlorine.
Hazard
Thallium chloride is highly toxic. Acute toxic effects are those of thallium poisoning.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from 1% HCl and wash it until acid-free, or crystallise it from hot water (50mL/g), then dry it at 140o and store it in brown bottles. Also purify it by subliming it in a vacuum, followed by treatment with dry HCl gas and filtering while molten. (It is soluble in 260 parts of cold water and 70 parts of boiling water). POISONOUS.
