Raman and infrared spectroscopy of the AlCl3–SOCl2 system

Abstract

The structural aspects of the AlCl3–SOCl2 system have been examined by vibrational spectroscopy. The SOCl2 molecule exhibits amphoteric character, i.e. it can act simultaneously as a donor through the oxygen atom and as an acceptor through the sulphur atom. The liquid state contains loosely bound, open-chain dimers/oligomers, (Cl2SO)n with n 2. The dissolution of Al2Cl6 in SOCl2 occurs dissociatively with the formation of Cl2SO → AlCl3 adducts. At higher AlCl3 concentrations, an increase in solution electrical conductivity is attributed to the reaction: 2Cl2SO → AlCl3⇌[Cl2Al(â†� OSCl2)2]++ AlCl–4