Summary

Phosphorus pentachloride is a pale yellow solid that fumes in moist air; specific gravity 1.60; melting at 148? under pressure; boiling at 160? (sublimes). It is soluble in benzene, ether, carbon disulphide and in carbon tetrachloride. It is neither nonflammable nor explosive. It is hydrolysed violently with water to form phosphonic acid, phosphorus oxychloride, and hydrochloric acid. Phos