S.C. 12,000 FMC, Nitro, W.Va.
Commercial production is by direct oxidation of phosphorus trichloride with oxygen.
Occidental Chemical, which discontinued POCl3 in 1988, manufactured the product by chlorination of phosphorus trichloride in the presence of phosphorus pentoxide. About 75 to 80 percent of POCl3 production is estimated to be used captively in the manufacture of phosphate esters for plasticizers, flame retardants, hydraulic fluids and other uses. Exports of oxychloride are estimated to have made up only 30 to 40 percent of the combined volume. High, 59c. per pound, tanks, frt. The current move to firm up pricing for phosphorus trichloride and oxychloride should help to ease cost pressures.