Selenium oxydichloride
Encyclopedia
Selenium oxydichloride is the inorganic compound
with the formula SeOCl2. It is a liquid with a high dielectric constant (55) and high specific conductance, and for these reasons is an attractive solvent. Structurally, it is a close chemical relative of thionyl chloride
SOCl2 and DMSO
as a donor solvent.
to dichloroselenious acid followed by dehydration:
The original synthesis involved the redistribution reaction
of selenium dioxide and selenium tetrachloride
.
The compound hydrolyzes readily.
Inorganic compound
Inorganic compounds have traditionally been considered to be of inanimate, non-biological origin. In contrast, organic compounds have an explicit biological origin. However, over the past century, the classification of inorganic vs organic compounds has become less important to scientists,...
with the formula SeOCl2. It is a liquid with a high dielectric constant (55) and high specific conductance, and for these reasons is an attractive solvent. Structurally, it is a close chemical relative of thionyl chloride
Thionyl chloride
Thionyl chloride is an inorganic compound with the formula SOCl2. It is a reactive chemical reagent used in chlorination reactions. It is a colorless, distillable liquid at room temperature and pressure that decomposes above 140 °C. Thionyl chloride is sometimes confused with sulfuryl...
SOCl2 and DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyl sulfoxide is an organosulfur compound with the formula 2SO. This colorless liquid is an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds and is miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water...
as a donor solvent.
Preparation and reactions
Selenium oxydichloride can be prepared by several methods, and a popular one involves the conversion of selenium dioxideSelenium dioxide
Selenium dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula SeO2. This colorless solid is one of the most frequently encountered compounds of selenium.-Properties:...
to dichloroselenious acid followed by dehydration:
- SeO2 + 2 HCl → Se(OH)2Cl2
- Se(OH)2Cl2 → SeOCl2 + H2O
The original synthesis involved the redistribution reaction
Redistribution (chemistry)
In chemistry, redistribution usually refers to the exchange of anionic ligands bonded to metal and metalloid centers. The conversion does not involve redox, in contrast to disproportionation reactions. Redistribution reactions are usefully conducted at higher temperatures; upon cooling the...
of selenium dioxide and selenium tetrachloride
Selenium tetrachloride
Selenium tetrachloride is the inorganic compound composed with the formula SeCl4. This compound exists as yellow to white volatile solid. It is one of two commonly available selenium chlorides, the other example being selenium monochloride, Se2Cl2...
.
The compound hydrolyzes readily.