Phosgene as a Non-aqueous Solvent

This result, like that found for sulfur dioxide, is somewhat ironic, as phosgene played an important rdle in the development of Franklin s theory of the acid-base behaviour of non-aqueous solvents [736,738a,850d,1285a], There has been a very recent suggestion, however, that [COCl] is stabilized by a zeolite framework [641], and exhibits r(CO) at 1790 and 1710 cm [641], This claim requires substantiation, however. 

Electrolysis of conducting solutions of aluminium(III) chloride [738] liberates a mixture of carbon monoxide and dichlorine [736]. 

Phosgene dissolves large quantities of various other toxic agents. Thus, at 0 C, it will form a solution of chlorine containing 6.63% of the latter, and at -15 C, 20.57%. At higher temperatures, the solubility of Clj in COCIj is apparently less. Mustard gas and diphenylchloroarsine also dissolve in phosgene [2146]. More details of the important COClj-Clj and COClj-HCI systems will be found in Sections 6.6.3 and 6.6.4, respectively. 

Metallic potassium, which does not react with pure phosgene, also reacts in a similar manner [735]. 

This represents the sum total of the studies upon the use of phosgene as a solvent for inorganic chemistry, apart from the solubility determinations and complex formation studies described in Chapters 6 and 9. This has been a very short chapter more a reflection of missed opportunities and ill-informed neglect than a paucity of chemical interest. To echo the sentiments expressed by J.S. Anderson in 1943 [46], there is a vast potential for phosgene as a solvent for the study of inorganic reactions which still remains to be exploited. 

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