What is Phosphorus trichloride?
[[File:Phosphorus-trichloride-3D-vdW.png|thumb|Phosphorus trichloride structure]] [[File:Phosphorus pentachloride and Phosphorus trichloride.JPG|thumb|The bottle on the right has phosphorus trichloride in it.]] '''Phosphorus trichloride''' is a [[chemical compound]]. It is a molecular compound made up of [[phosphorus]] covalently bonded to three [[ion|chlorine atom]]s. The phosphorus is considered to be in a 3+ [[oxidation state|oxidation state and each chlorine is considered to be in a 1- oxidation state]]. The chemical formula is PCl<sub>3</sub>. ==Properties== It is a colorless liquid. It reacts with water to make [[phosphorous acid]] and [[hydrochloric acid]]. It is very toxic. It is a weak [[reducing agent]]. ==Preparation== It is made by reacting extra [[phosphorus]] with [[chlorine]]. It is used to make phosphorous acid industrially (in factories). ==Uses== It is used to make [[organic chemistry|organic]] compounds. It is also used to make other phosphorus compounds. ==Related pages== *[[Phosphorus(III) oxide]] *[[Phosphorus(V) oxide]] *[[Hypophosphite]] {{chem-stub}} {{Chemical agents}} [[Category:Phosphorus compounds]] [[Category:Chlorine compounds]]