Aluminium(III) chloride–chlorohydrocarbon chemistry. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopic studies of the reactions between solid aluminium (III) chloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane or 1,1-dichloroethene vapours

Abstract

The reactions of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 1,1-dichloroethene vapours with solid aluminium(III) chloride have been studied using Fourier-transform i.r. spectroscopy to determine stoicheiometries as a function of time. Dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane to give 1,1-dichloroethene and hydrogen chloride appears to be the only important process in the initial stage of the reaction, but the 1,1-dichloroethene formed reacts with the solid phase and the main product is a mixture of involatile chlorohydrocarbon species. The quantity of hydrogen chloride evolved indicates that the involatile material is highly unsaturated and in both reactions AlCl₃ becomes progressively coated with a strongly purple-coloured tar. Small quantities of carbon tetrachloride are also produced in both reactions.