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Antimony pentachloride facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Antimony pentachloride, also called antimony(V) chloride, is a chemical compound. Think of it as a tiny building block made of different atoms joined together. Its chemical formula is SbCl5. This means it's made of one antimony atom and five chloride atoms. The antimony in this compound has a special electrical charge, which chemists call an oxidation state of +5.

What is Antimony Pentachloride Like?

Antimony pentachloride is usually a clear or light yellow liquid. It has a very strong, unpleasant smell and gives off fumes that can be harmful if you breathe them in.

  • Melting and Boiling Points: This compound melts at a very low temperature, around 2.8 degrees Celsius (just above freezing!). It boils at 140 degrees Celsius.
  • Reaction with Water: If you mix antimony pentachloride with water, it reacts strongly. It forms two new substances: antimony pentoxide and hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a very strong acid.
  • Dissolving: It can dissolve in other liquids like hydrochloric acid and chloroform. Chloroform is a special liquid sometimes used in labs.
  • Absorbing Water: It's also very good at soaking up water from the air. When it does this, it turns into a solid called a hydrate.
  • Oxidizing Agent: In chemistry, it's known as a strong "oxidizing agent." This means it can take electrons from other substances in a chemical reaction.

How is it Made?

Scientists make antimony pentachloride by reacting liquid antimony trichloride with chlorine gas.

What is it Used For?

Antimony pentachloride has a few important uses:

  • It is used in a special test to find the element caesium.
  • It is also used to help make other chemicals and dyes (colors for fabrics and other materials).

Related pages

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pentacloruro de antimonio para niños

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