Phosphorus trichloride can be obtained from white phosphorus by the action of

Options

A. `Cl_(2)`
B. `SOCl_(2)`
C. `SO_(2)Cl_(2)`
D. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

4

Explanation

Phosphrous trichloride (a colourless liquid)is produced when chlorine gas reacts with an excess of white phosphorus:
`P_(4)(s)+6Cl_(2)(g)rarr4PCl_(3)(l)`
An excess of chloride results in phosphrous pentachloride (a white solid),
`P_(4)(s)+10Cl_(2)(g)rarr4PCl_(5)(g)`
Action of thionyl chloride on white phosphorus yields phosphorus trichloride while action of sulphuryl chloride on white to phosphorus yields phosphorus pentachloride:
`P_(4)+8SOCl_(2)rarr4PCl_(3)+4SO_(2)+2S_(2)Cl_(2)`
`P_(4)+10SO_(2)Cl_(2)rarr4PCl_(5)+10SO_(2)`