Ionization of Some Inorganic Halides in Chlorosulphuric Acid Solvent System-Redox Reactions of Phosphorus, Arsenic & Antimony Halides in Chlorosulphuric Acid

ITis quite well knownthat the interaction of the stoichiometric amount of the appropriate halogen with a few binary phosphorus(III) halides in non-polar solvent like carbon tetrachloride increases the oxidation state of phosphorus resulting in the formation of the corresponding mixed phosphorus(V) halides. However, recently chlorosulphuric acid, a non-aqueous, ionizing, strong acidic solvent2-15, has been considerably exploited as a suitable medium to carry out redox reactions8-10,15 for the formation and stabilization of various cationic species which under normal conditions are unstable. It W2.S therefore considered of interest to study the behaviour of a few halides of group (V) elements in chlorosulphuric acid with a view to investigating their modes of ionization as well as to examine the possible formation and stabilization of'heterocationic species, e.g. PClaBr+, PBr:lCl+, PClaI+ and PBrzI+ in HSOaCI solvent system.