When ethanol is treated with phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), ethyl chloride is formed. Which other phosphorus-containing compound is produced as a byproduct?
Q1. When ethanol is treated with phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), ethyl chloride is formed. Which other phosphorus-containing compound is produced as a byproduct?
Answer: H3PO3
Explanation: Reaction with PCl3 produces phosphorous acid (H3PO3). POCl3 is tempting but is specifically the byproduct of the reaction with phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5).