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Bismuth Chloride, also known as trichlorobismuth and bismuth trichloride, is a compound that is obtained by reacting bismuth with chlorine. This compound is used as a catalyst for various chemical reactions. The production of Bismuth, along with several other of its compounds is done from Bismuth Chloride as it is a good source for it. Bismuth (III) Chloride is an inorganic salt that is produced by when bismuth reacts with chlorine. It is also known as. Its property of hydrogen bond acceptor is 3, and its molecular formula is BiCl3. The Simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) of Bismuth (III) Chloride is [Cl].[Cl].[Cl].[Bi+3].
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Key Terms: Bismuth (III) Chloride, Chlorine, Chemicals, Compound, Chemical Reaction, Molecules, Organic Salt, Production of Bismuth, Hydrolysis, Molecular Mass, IUPAC, Ions
What is Bismuth (III) Chloride?
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Bismuth Chloride a.k.a butter of bismuth is a compound. It has the chemical formula- BiCl3. It is considered a source of the ions of Bi3+. It obeys the VSEPR theory as it takes a pyramidal structure in the gas phase and within the crystal. Its IUPAC name is bismuth trichloride.
- Its Molecular formula is BiCl3 and its Simplified molecular-input line-entry system a.k.a SMILE is [Cl].[Cl].[Cl].[Bi+3].
- Bismuth (III) Chlroide’s Molecular mass is 315.34 g/mol.
- Its Boiling point is 447° and its freezing point is 230 to 232°.
- It is pale yellow solid in appearance.
- It is used as a catalyst for processes of acetolysis, hydrolysis and alcoholysis.
- BiCl3 is pyramidal in its gaseous state with a bond length of 242pm and a Cl-Bi-Cl angle of 97.5°.
- Each Bi atom will have two neighbours at 324 pm, three at a mean of 336 pm, and three neighbours at 250 pm, when it is in its solid state. This solid structure can be seen as similar to that of AsBr3, SbBr3, SbCl3 and AsCl3.
Bismuth (III) Chloride
Structure of Bismuth (III) Chloride
Bismuth (III) Chloride has one Bismuth atom and three Cl atoms. This structure of Bismuth (III) Chloride is shown below.
Structure of Bismuth (III) Chloride
Properties of Bismuth (III) Chloride
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The Main Properties of Bismuth (III) Chloride have been tabulated below:
| IUPAC Name | Bismuth Trichloride |
|---|---|
| Molecular Mass | 315.34 g/mol |
| Molecular Formula | BiCl3 |
| Melting Point | 230 to 232° |
| Boiling Point | 230 to 232° |
| Appearance | Solid with a pale yellow colour |
How is Bismuth (III) Chloride Prepared?
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Bismuth (III) Chloride can be treated in the three following ways-
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First Method
The first method involves the reaction of bismuth metal with concentrated acid. Recrystallization is done with the help of concentrated Hydrochloric Acid as it helps hydrolysis. Bismuth metal is reacted with chlorine gas in a water-free spot. Finally, we obtain the crude bismuth trichloride and it is then purified by subliming it under a vacuum with a temperature over 200 °C.
Bi2O3 + 6 HCl → 2BiCl3 + 3H2O
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Second Method
The second method involves the synthesis of Bismuth chloride by passing chlorine over bismuth. Alternatively, we can dissolve bismuth metal in nitrohydrochloric acid and evaporate the mixture to obtain BiCl3.2H2O, which is then distilled to obtain anhydrous trichloride.
2Bi + 3Cl2 → 2BiCl3
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Third Method
The third method is by dissolving bismuth into concentrated nitric acid and adding solid common salt in the obtained solution.
Bi + 6HNO3 → Bi(NO3)3 + 3H2O + 3NO2
Bi(NO3)3 + 3 NaCl → BiCl3 + 3NaNO3
Applications of Bismuth (III) Chloride
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The major applications of Bismuth (III) Chloride are as follows:
- It is used for chemical processes like acetolysis, hydrolysis, alcoholysis, etc. It is used as a catalyst.
- It is used for the Allylation of secondary benzyl alcohols.
- It is used for preparing thiiranes from oxiranes.
Precautions to be Taken:-
The things to be kept in mind while dealing with Bismuth (III) Chloride are as follows:
- It causes skin burns upon reacting with water as that produces hydrochloric acid.
- It is a dangerous and toxic compound as it causes gastrointestinal disease and irritation in the respiratory tract.
Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen Chloride | Carboxylic Acids | Distillation |
| Alcohol, Phenol, Ether | Periodic Table | Vapour Pressure |
Things to Remember
- Bismuth chloride is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula- BiCl3.
- It is considered a source of Bi3+ ions. It forms a pyramidal structure in the gas phase and within the crystal.
- It obeys the VSEPR Theory. Its IUPAC name is bismuth trichloride.
- The Simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILE) of bismuth chloride is [Cl].[Cl].[Cl].[Bi+3].
- Its Molecular mass is 315.34 g/mol.
- It has a Boiling point of 447°. It has a freezing point of 230 to 232°.
- It is pale yellow solid in appearance.
- It is used as a catalyst for processes of acetolysis, hydrolysis and alcoholysis.
Sample Questions
Ques. How is acid formed from bismuth chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. Bismuth chloride is hydrolyzed to bismuth oxychloride.
Bi3+(aq) + Cl−(aq) + H2O(l) → BiOCl (s) + 2 H+(aq)
This reaction is reversed using an acid. Bismuth chloride is an oxidant, it is reduced to metallic bismuth by using reducing agents.
Ques. Write different reactions to BiCl3. (3 Marks)
Ans. The reaction of BiCl3 are as follows:
- BiCl3 + 3NaOH = 3NaCl + Bi(OH)3
- Al + BiCl3 = AlCl3 + Bi
- BiCl3 + 3NH3 + 3H2O = Bi(OH)3 + 3NH4Cl
- BiCl3 + 3KOH = Bi(OH)3 + 3KCl
- H2O + BiCl3 = BiOCl + 2HCl
- BiCl3 + 3NaHCO3 = Bi(HCO3)3 + 3NaCl
Ques. What is the first method for the preparation of Bismuth (III) Chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. The first method involves the reaction of bismuth metal with concentrated acid. Recrystallization is done with the help of concentrated Hydrochloric Acid as it helps hydrolysis. Bismuth metal is reacted with chlorine gas in a water-free spot. Finally, we obtain the crude bismuth trichloride and it is then purified by subliming it under a vacuum with a temperature over 200 °C.
Bi2O3 + 6 HCl → 2BiCl3 + 3H2O
Ques. What are various synonyms for Bismuth (III) Chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. The various other synonyms for Bismuth (III) Chloride are as follows:
- bismuth trichloride
- bismuth chloride
- trichlorobismuth
Ques. What is the second method for the preparation of Bismuth (III) Chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. The second method involves the synthesis of Bismuth chloride by passing chlorine over bismuth. Alternatively, we can dissolve bismuth metal in nitrohydrochloric acid and evaporate the mixture to obtain BiCl3.2H2O, which is then distilled to obtain anhydrous trichloride.
2Bi + 3Cl2 → 2BiCl3
Ques. Give the important properties of Bismuth (III) Chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. Some of the important properties of Bismuth (III) Chloride are-
- Formula: BiCl3
- Hill system formula: Bi1Cl3
- CAS registry number: [7787-60-2]
- Formula weight: 315.338
- Class: chloride
- Colour: white or yellowish-white
- Appearance: crystalline solid, deliquescent
- Melting point: 233.5°C
- Boiling point: 441°C
- Density: 4750 g dm-3
Ques. What is the structure of Bismuth (III) Chloride? (3 Marks)
Ans. It is used as a catalyst for processes of acetolysis, hydrolysis and alcoholysis.
- In the Gaseous state, BiCl3 is pyramidal with a bond length of 242pm and a Cl-Bi-Cl angle of 97.5°.
- In the solid-state, each Bi atom will have two neighbours at 324 pm, three at a mean of 336 pm, and three neighbours at 250 pm. This solid structure can be seen as similar to that of AsBr3, SbBr3, SbCl3 and AsCl3.
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