Element trihalides

The element trihalides will be considered first, followed by the many classes of anionic structures that are known. Finally, a section on bonding and on the various ideas that have been used to rationalize some of the observed trends is included. 

The structures of the element trihalides EX3 are covered in a number of textbooks on structural inorganic chemistry (4, 5), and these will not be discussed in great detail here. It is, however, worth mentioning some of the salient structural features. In most cases, a molecular trigonal pyramidal EX3 unit consistent with VSEPR theory predictions is readily apparent in the solid-state structure, although there are usually a number of fairly short intermolecular contacts or secondary bonds present. A general description of the structures as molecularly covalent but as having a tendency toward macromolecular or polymeric networks is therefore reasonable. Only in the case of the fluorides is an ionic model appropriate. 

Clearly there are a number of interesting trends that are apparent here and that require explanation. Table I lists the approximate differences between the primary and the secondary E-X bond lengths (A) for the element trihalides EX3 common superscripts reflect isomorphous (or nearly so) structures for which a comparison is particularly appropriate. 

Approximate Differences (to the Nearest 0.05 A) between the Lengths of the Primary and Secondary E—X Bonds (A) for the Element Trihalides EX3 ... 

A complete set of trihalides for arsenic, antimony and bismuth can be prepared by the direct combination of the elements although other methods of preparation can sometimes be used. The vigour of the direct combination reaction for a given metal decreases from fluorine to iodine (except in the case of bismuth which does not react readily with fluorine) and for a given halogen, from arsenic to bismuth. 

The melting and boiling points of a series of similar covalent halides of a given element are found to increase from the fluoride to the iodide, i.e. as the molecular weight of the halide increases. Thus, the trihalides of phosphorus have melting points PF3 = 121.5 K. PCI3 = 161.2 K, PBrj = 233 K, PI3 = 334 K. 

AIF3 is made by treating AI2O3 with HF gas at 700° and the other trihalides are made by the direct exothermic combination of the elements. AIF3 is important in the industrial production of A1 metal (p. 219) and is made on a scale approaching 700000 tonnes per annum world wide. AICI3 finds extensive use as a Friedel-Crafts catalyst (p. 236) its annual production approaches lOOOOOtpa and is dominated by Western Europe, USA and Japan. The price for bulk AICI3 is about 0.35/kg. 

All 4 trihalides are volatile reactive compounds which feature pyramidal molecules. The fluoride is best made by the action of CaF2, Znp2 or Asp3 on PCI3, but the others are formed by direct halogenation of the element. PF3 is colourless, odourless and does not fume in air, but is very hazardous due to the formation of a complex with blood haemoglobin (cf. 

A coordination compound, or complex, is formed when a Lewis base (ligand) is attached to a Lewis acid (acceptor) by means of a lone-pair of electrons. Where the ligand is composed of a number of atoms, the one which is directly attached to the acceptor is called the donor atom . This type of bonding has already been discussed (p. 198) and is exemplified by the addition compounds formed by the trihalides of the elements of Group 13 (p. 237) it is also the basis of much of the chemistry of the... 

All four monohalides of gold have been prepared but the fluoride only by mass spectrometric methods. AuCl and AuBr are formed by heating the trihalides to no more than 150°C and Aul by heating the metal and iodine. At higher temperatures they dissociate into the elements. Aul is a chain polymer which features linear 2-coordinate Au with Au-I 262 pm and the angle Au-I-Au 72°. 

Unlike the di-f dihalides, such compounds differ little in energy from both the equivalent quantity of metal and trihalide, and from other combinations with a similar distribution of metal-metal and metal-halide bonding. So the reduced halide chemistry of the five elements shows considerable variety, and thermodynamics is ill-equipped to account for it. All four elements form di-iodides with strong metal-metal interaction, Prl2 occurring in five different crystalline forms. Lanthanum yields Lai, and for La, Ce and Pr there are hahdes M2X5 where X=Br or I. The rich variety of the chemistry of these tri-f compounds is greatly increased by the incorporahon of other elements that occupy interstitial positions in the lanthanide metal clusters [3 b, 21, 22]. 

Electric discharge in a mixture of PC13 and H2 produces P2C14, and white phosphorus dissolved in carbon disulfide reacts with I2 to produce P2I4. All of the trihalides of the group VA elements are known, and they can be prepared by reaction of the elements, although there are other preparative methods. The fluorides are prepared as follows ... 

Table 14.6 shows some of the properties of the trihalides of the group VA elements. 

Because of the reactive covalent bonds to halogen atoms, all of the trihalides of the group VA elements hydrolyze in water. It is found that the rates decrease in the order P > As > Sb > Bi, which agrees with the decrease in covalent bond character that results from the increase in metallic character of the central atoms. Not all of the trihalides react in the same way. The phosphorus trihalides react according to the equation... 

Table 14.6 Physical Properties of the Trihalides of Group VA Elements. ...

As in the case of phosphorus trihalides, the phosphorus atom in trialkyl phosphites will undergo addition reactions in which oxygen, sulfur, or selenium is added. The latter two react as elements, but a suitable source of oxygen is hydrogen peroxide. 

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