Antimony pentachloride facts for kids

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

• Antimony pentafluoride
• Antimony trifluoride
• Bismuth pentafluoride

See also

In Spanish: Pentacloruro de antimonio para niños