Antimony pentachloride is a chemical compound with the formula SbCl5. 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.

Preparation and structure

Antimony pentachloride is prepared by passing chlorine gas into molten antimony trichloride: Gaseous SbCl5 has a trigonal bipyramidal structure.

Reactions

This compounds reacts with water to form antimony pentoxide and hydrochloric acid: The mono- and tetrahydrates are known, SbCl5·H2O and SbCl5·4H2O. This compound forms adducts with many Lewis bases. SbCl5 is a soft Lewis acid and its ECW model parameters are EA = 3.64 and CA = 10.42. It is used as the standard Lewis acid in the Gutmann scale of Lewis basicity. It is also a strong oxidizing agent. For example aromatic ethers are oxidized to their radical cations according to the following stoichiometry:

Applications

Antimony pentachloride is used as a polymerization catalyst and for the chlorination of organic compounds.

Precautions

Antimony pentachloride is a highly corrosive substance that should be stored away from heat and moisture. It is a chlorinating agent and, in the presence of moisture, it releases hydrogen chloride gas. Because of this, it may etch even stainless-steel tools (such as needles), if handled in a moist atmosphere. It should not be handled with non-fluorinated plastics (such as plastic syringes, plastic septa, or needles with plastic fittings), since it melts and carbonizes plastic materials.