| Chemical Properties | colourless oily liquid |
| Chemical Properties | Arsenous trichloride is a noncombustible, colorless
or pale yellow oily, fuming liquid. The odor is described
as pungent and acrid. |
| Physical properties | Colorless oily liquid; fumes in air; density 2.163 g/ml at 20°C; refractive index 1.621 at 14°C; melts at 0.16°C; boils at 130.2°C; vapor pressure 9.75 torr at 25°C; decomposes in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, HCl and HBr. |
| Uses | Arsenic trichloride (AsCl3), also known as arsenic chloride, is used in the pharmaceutical
industry and to make insecticides and ceramics. |
| Uses | Arsenic Trichloride is an highly toxic inorganic compounds and is an intermediate in the manufacture of organoarsenic compounds. |
| Uses | In the ceramic industry; in syntheses of chlorine-contg arsenicals, e.g., chloro derivatives of arsine. |
| Definition | ChEBI: A arsenic molecular entity that consists of a single arsenic atom bearing three chloro substituents. |
| Definition | A poisonous oily liquid. It fumesin moist air due to hydrolysis with water
vapor:AsCl3 + 3H2O = As2O3 + 6HCl
Arsenic(III) chloride is covalent and exhibits nonmetallic properties. |
| Preparation | The compound is generally made from arsenic trioxide by (i) passing chlorine over it or (ii) treating the trioxide with sulfur monochloride, S2Cl2. Alternatively it is prepared from arsenic trioxide by distillation with either concentrated hydrochloric acid or a mixture of sulfuric acid and a metal chloride. Arsenic trichloride may also be prepared by combination of arsenic and chlorine. |
| General Description | A colorless to yellow oily fuming liquid. ARSENIC(III) CHLORIDE is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Very toxic by inhalation and ingestion. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Fumes in air. Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid and As(OH)3. |
| Reactivity Profile | When ARSENIC CHLORIDE is heated to decomposition or on contact with mineral acids, ARSENIC(III) CHLORIDE emits highly toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride and of metallic arsenic. Explodes with Na, K, and Al on impact [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 275]. The interaction of hexafluoroisopropylideneaminolithium with a range of chlorinated and /or fluorinated derivatives of arsenic, boron, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur yielded a violently exothermic reaction. |
| Hazard | Strong irritant to eyes and skin. |
| Health Hazard | ARSENIC(III) CHLORIDE can cause death. In acute exposures, it is extremely toxic and caustic, owing not only to the poisonous nature of arsenic, but also to the release of hydrochloric acid in the presence of water. Exposure to the skin causes local irritation and blisters. Inhalation or ingestion causes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis resulting in loss of fluids and electrolytes, collapse, shock and death. Chronic poisoning can lead to peripheral nerve damage, skin conditions, liver damage and it has been implicated in the induction of skin and lung cancer. The fatal human dose is 70-180 mg depending on the weight of the victim. |
| Fire Hazard | When in contact with active metals such as arsenic, iron, aluminum, zinc, or when heated to decomposition, ARSENIC(III) CHLORIDE emits highly toxic fumes of arsenic. Upon contact with water hydrogen chloride is produced. Water causes ARSENIC(III) CHLORIDE to decompose to yield arsenic acid and hydrochloric acid. Avoid active metals such as arsenic, iron, aluminum, zinc, decomposed by water to form arsenic hydroxide and hydrogen chloride. Avoid air, ultraviolet light. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. |
| Safety Profile | Confirmed human
carcinogen. A poison via inhalation. See also
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS and
CHLORIDES. Very poisonous; fumes in
air. Mutation data reported. When heated to
decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of
As and Cl-. Highly reactive. Explodes with
Na, K, and Al on impact. |
| Potential Exposure | Arsenic chloride is used in the ceramics
industry; in the synthesis of chlorine-containing
arsenicals; as a chemical intermediate for arsenic insecticides,
pharmaceuticals; and has been used in chemical warfare
agents. |
| Shipping | UN1560 Arsenic trichloride, Hazard class 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard, Inhalation Hazard
Zone B. |
| Purification Methods | Reflux the trichloride with arsenic for 4hours, then fractionally distil it. The middle fraction is stored with sodium wire for two days, then again distilled [Lewis & Sowerby J Chem Soc 336 1957]. It fumes in moist air forming the solid hydroxy-chloride [AsCl(OH)2] and is readily hydrolysed by H2O to form arsenious acid. POISONOUS. [Schenk in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I p 596 1963.] |
| Incompatibilities | Contact with sodium, potassium, or powdered
aluminum may cause a violent reaction. It is decomposed
in water, forming arsenic hydroxide and hydrogen
chloride. Exposure to light forms toxic gas. Violent reaction
with anhydrous ammonia, strong acids; strong oxidizers
and halogens. Incompatible with alkali metals; active
metals, such as arsenic, iron, aluminum, zinc. Corrodes
metals in the presence of moisture and forms flammable
and explosive hydrogen gas. |
| Waste Disposal | Consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal
practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant
(≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing
storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal.
Dissolve in a minimum of concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Dilute with water until white precipitate forms. Add HCl to
dissolve. Saturate with H2S; filter and wash precipitate and
return to supplier. Alternatively, precipitate with heavy
metals, such as lime or ferric hydroxide in lieu of H2S.If needed, seek professional environmental engineering
assistance from the United States Environmental Protection
Agency Environmental Response Team at (908) 548-8730
(24-hour response line). In accordance with 40CFR165, follow
recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and
pesticide containers. Must be disposed properly by following
package label directions or by contacting your local or
federal environmental control agency, or by contacting
your regional EPA office. |
