Phosphorus chlorides PC13, compound with

Chlorine reacts with most elements, both metals and non-metals except carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, forming chlorides. Sometimes the reaction is catalysed by a trace of water (such as in the case of copper and zinc). If the element attacked exhibits several oxidation states, chlorine, like fluorine, forms compounds of high oxidation state, for example iron forms iron(III) chloride and tin forms tin(IV) chloride. Phosphorus, however, forms first the trichloride, PC13, and (if excess chlorine is present) the pentachloride PC15. 

The chloride compound is obtained by electric discharge in a mixture of PC13 and H2. Preparation of P2I4 can be carried out by the reaction of I2 with a carbon disulfide solution of white phosphorus. 

---