Bismuth chloride

Bismuth chloride
IUPAC name

Bismuth chloride
Other names

Bismuth trichloride, Trichlorobismuth, Trichlorobismuthine, Bismuth(III) chloride
Identifiers
CAS number 7787-60-2 Y
ChemSpider 22993 Y
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula BiCl3
Molar mass 315.34 g/mol
Appearance hygroscopic white to yellow crystals
Density 4.75 g/cm3
Melting point

227 °C, 500 K, 441 °F
Boiling point

447 °C, 720 K, 837 °F
Solubility in water Decomposes to bismuth oxychloride
Solubility soluble in methanol, diethyl ether, acetone
Hazards
MSDS JT Baker
NFPA 704
0
2
0
LD50 3324 mg/kg, oral (rat)
Related compounds
Other anions bismuth fluoride, bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth trioxide
Other cations iron(III) chloride, manganese(II) chloride, cobalt(II) chloride
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Bismuth chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BiCl3. It is a common source of the Bi3+ ion. In the gas phase and in the crystal, the species adopts a pyramidal structure, in accord with VSEPR theory.

Contents

Preparation

Bismuth chloride is synthesized directly by passing chlorine over bismuth.

2 Bi + 3 Cl2 → 2 BiCl3

Alternatively, the chloride salt may be prepared by adding hydrochloric acid to bismuth oxide and evaporating the solution.

Bi2O3 + 6 HCl → 2 BiCl3 + 3 H2O

Also, the compound can be prepared by dissolving bismuth in concentrated nitric acid and then adding solid sodium chloride into this solution. [1]

Bi + 6 HNO3 → Bi(NO3)3 + 3 H2O + 3 NO2
Bi(NO3)3 + 3 NaCl → BiCl3 + 3 NaNO3

Chemistry

Bismuth chloride is hydrolyzed readily to bismuth oxychloride, BiOCl:[2]

Bi3+ + Cl− + H2O → BiOCl (s) + 2 H+

This reaction can be suppressed by adding an acid, such as hydrochloric acid.[3]

Bismuth chloride is an oxidizing agent, being readily reduced to metallic bismuth by reducing agents.

Chloro complexes

In contrast to the usual expectation by consistency with periodic trends, BiCl3 is a Lewis acid, forming a variety of chloro complexes such as [BiCl6]3− that strongly violates the octet rule. Furthermore the octahedral structure of this coordination complex does not follow the predictions of VSEPR theory, since the lone pair on bismuth is unexpectedly stereochemically inactive. The dianionic complex [BiCl5]2− does however adopt the expected square pyramidal structure.[4]

Cs3[BiCl6]
Cs3[BiCl6]
[BiCl6]3−

Organic catalysis

Bismuth chloride is used as a catalyst in organic synthesis. In particular, it catalyzes the Michael reaction and the Mukaiyama-aldol reaction. The addition of other metal iodides increases its catalytic activity.[5]

Uses

Bismuth chloride is an excellent water soluble crystalline source of bismuth. Its aqueous solution conducts electricity as does the molten material. It is used to prepare several other bismuth salts, and is a constituent in pigments and cosmetics.

Safety

Bismuth chloride is toxic. It causes irritation to the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. Contact with skin may cause burns.

References

  1. ^ Pradyot Patnaik. Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN 0070494398
  2. ^ Joel Henry Hildebrand (2008). Principles of Chemistry. BiblioBazaar, LLC. p. 191. ISBN 0559318774. 
  3. ^ Frank Welcher (2008). Chemical Solutions. READ BOOKS. p. 48. ISBN 1443729078. 
  4. ^ Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
  5. ^ Hitomi Suzuki; Yoshihiro Matano (2001). Organobismuth chemistry. Elsevier. pp. 403–404. ISBN 0444205284.