12.39 kg sample of phosphorus reacts with 52.54 kg of chlorine to form only phos

Question

12.39 kg sample of phosphorus reacts with 52.54 kg of chlorine to form only phosphorus trichloride.

In a similar process, the chlorine is introduced to the reactor as a solution in carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane). The solvent does not react. What volume of a 4.5 M solution is required to deliver for the stoichiometric amount of chlorine?

Water is much less expensive than carbon tettrachloride. It is less toxic and easier to recycle or purify for further use. Another chemist thinks that the process can be improved by using water instead of carbon tet as the solvent. Is this a good idea? Justify your answer! Hint: show (potential) reactions of starting materials and products.

Explanation / Answer

m = 12.39 kg of P

m = 52.54 kg of Cl2

2P + 3Cl2 = 2PCl3

For:

CCl4 =?

mol of Cl2 used in pirst reaction

mol = mass/MW = (52.54*1000)/(70.9060) = 740.98 mol of Cl2 used

so there are = 740.98*2 = 1,481.96 mol of Cl

then for CCl4

1,481.96/4 =370.49 mol of CCl4 required

mass = mol*MW = 370.49*153.82 = 56,988.7718 g = 56.98 kg of CCl4 required

for volume

M = mol/V

V = mol/M = 56,988.7718/4.5 = 12,664.1715 Liters = 12.66 m3

CCl4 is most likely used as a catalyst/solvent, it will provide Cl exchange and a better mechanism.

If this is not the case, then we have another reason, that is, water will most likely react with Cl2 and P to form HCl gases

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