Nitrogen trichloride

Trichloramine

Yellow, chlorine- like odor, explosive liquid

Liquid

1.64 g · cm -3

-40 ° C

71 ° C.

112 ppm · h 1 ( LC50, rat, inh. )

229 KJ · mol -1

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search is not possible

Nitrogen trichloride is an explosive chemical compound belonging to the group of Stickstoffhalogenide and chloramines.

History

1811, the French chemist Pierre Louis Dulong with chlorine gas and a solution of ammonium chloride, with nitrogen trichloride was formed. In his experiments with the dangerous combination there was an explosion in the Dulong lost three fingers, making him but did not stop to investigate the matter further. After announcement of the accident in 1813 also dealt with the British chemist Humphry Davy with the substance. Later, other methods of preparation of Balard and Böttger and Kolbe were found.

Occurrence

In disinfection with chlorine in swimming pools is produced by the reaction with urea from human waste as a by- product nitrogen trichloride. The nitrogen trichloride is responsible for the typical odor of " chlorine" in indoor swimming pools, which may temporarily occur when an excessive load on the pool water.

Production and representation

Nitrogen trichloride is formed by chlorinating a saturated, acidic ammonium chloride solution, which occur as intermediates chloramine and Dichloramine.

An approximately 1.4 M solution of nitrogen trichloride in carbon tetrachloride, is accessible by introducing chlorine gas into a subcoated carbon tetrachloride, ammonium carbonate solution.

Properties

Physical Properties

Under the influence of UV radiation in the UVB range at 340 nm, nitrogen trichloride decomposes by reaction with free hydroxide ions:

How ammonia nitrogen trichloride has a pyramidal molecular structure with a Cl - N-Cl angle of 107.78 ° and a leg length ( N -Cl) of 175.3 pm.

Chemical Properties

With water to form ammonia nitrogen trichloride and hypochlorous acid ( HClO ) is hydrolyzed ( as nitrogen slightly more electronegative than chlorine).

Use

It used for bleaching flour, but is no longer used because of the formation of toxic substances like Methioninsulfoximid it.

Safety

Nitrogen trichloride is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract and mucous membranes. The metastable compound explodes when the temperature increases. Solutions with a concentration of up to 18 percent are considered dangerous.

Studies from 1983 with rats showed an LC50 of 112 ppm/1h absorbed through the respiratory tract. Encountered symptoms in animals were increased lacrimation, convulsions, and organic and functional disorders of the salivary glands.

The end of 2010 was expressed in the Federal Health Gazette suspected that arisen in chlorinated pool water nitrogen trichloride in the baby swimming can trigger asthma. Especially for children under two years, occur in their families heaped allergies, the Federal Environment Agency advises as long as the baby swimming until further evidence in favor of a safety.