Examples include phosphate esters, oil and polymer additives, special lubricants, pest control compounds, fire resistant materials, etc. The process, which is exothermic, proceeds as a continuous reaction. Phosphorus is added to a boiling mixture of the trichloride and phosphorus, while a continuous stream of chlorine is added to the reactor.
Sufficient heat is generated by the reaction to distill the product as it is formed.
A typical reactor configuration for PCl 3 production is shown in Figure 1. Reactor for PCl 3 production Over time, there is a buildup of contaminants, mainly introduced via the phosphorus feed. This requires that the reactor be shut down periodically for cleaning. Prior to this it is necessary to purge the system of the pyrophoric phosphorus. This is accomplished by adding just sufficient chlorine to react with the phosphorus, while ensuring that not too much is added, thereby reducing the formation of the byproduct.