Hexachlorophosphazene

Hexachlorophosphazene
Names
IUPAC name
Hexachlorotriphosphazene
Other names
Triphosphonitrilic chloride
Phosphonitrilic chloride, Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene
2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloro-2,2,4,4,6,6-
hexahydro-1,3,5,2,4,6-Triazatriphosphorine
Identifiers
940-71-6 YesY
ChEMBL ChEMBL2022081 N
ChemSpider 190959 YesY
Jmol interactive 3D Image
PubChem 220225
Properties
N3Cl6P3
Molar mass 347.66 g/mol
Appearance colorless crystals
Density 1.98 g/mL at 25 °C
Melting point 112 to 115 °C (234 to 239 °F; 385 to 388 K)
Boiling point decomposes
decomposes
Solubility in chlorocarbons soluble
Structure
0 D
Hazards
Main hazards mild irritant
Flash point Non-flammable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Hexachlorophosphazene is an inorganic compound with the formula (NPCl2)3. The molecule has a cyclic backbone consisting of alternating phosphorus and nitrogen atoms. It can be viewed as a trimer of the hypothetical compound N≡PCl2. Hexachlorophosphazene together with the related (NPCl2)4 are precursors to inorganic polymers called polyphosphazenes.

Synthesis

The reaction of PCl5 and NH4Cl affords substances with the empirical formula PNCl2.[1] Purification by sublimation gives mainly the trimer and tetramer (PNCl2)4. Slow sublimation under vacuum at approximately 60 °C affords the pure trimer, (PNCl2)3, free of the tetramer. These rings were described by Liebig in 1832[2][3] in his study of the reaction of PCl5 and NH3:

PCl5 + NH4Cl → 1/n (NPCl2)n + 4 HCl

Reactions are typically conducted in chlorobenzene solution.

Inorganic rings

Chemists have long known of rings containing carbon, e.g. benzene, pyridine, and cyclohexane. Related cyclic compounds lacking in carbon have also been studied. Hexachlorophosphazene is one such inorganic ring. Other well known inorganic rings include borazine, S4N4, and the cyclic siloxanes.

"Inorganic rubber"

Hexachlorophosphazene is a precursor to poly(dichlorophosphazene) or "inorganic rubber", whose discovery is attributed to H. N. Stokes in 1896.[2][4][5] Upon heating to ca. 250 °C, the trimer undergoes ring-opening polymerization to give the linear polymer (PNCl2)n. Subsequent replacement of the chloride centers by other groups, especially alkoxides, yields many polyphosphazenes, some with commercial uses.

See also

References

  1. Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
  2. 1 2 3 H. N. Stokes (1895), On the chloronitrides of phosphorus. American Chemical Journal, vol. 17, p. 275.
  3. Liebig-Wöhler, Briefwechsel vol. 1, 63; Ann. Chem. (Liebig), vol. 11 (1834), 146.
  4. H. N. Stokes (1896), On Trimetaphosphimic acid and its decomposition products. American Chemical Journal, vol. 18 issue 8, p. 629.
  5. Mark, J. E.; Allcock, H. R.; West, R. “Inorganic Polymers” Prentice Hall, Englewood, NJ: 1992. ISBN 0-13-465881-7.
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