Dichlorine heptoxide

Structure

is an endergonic molecule, meaning it is intrinsically unstable, decomposing to its constituent elements with release of energy:

: (ΔH° = −132 kcal/mol)

Dichlorine heptoxide is a covalent compound consisting of two groups linked by an oxygen atom. It has an overall bent molecular geometry (C2 symmetry), with a Cl−O−Cl angle of 118.6°. The chlorine–oxygen bond lengths are 1.709 Å in the central region and 1.405 Å within each cluster. In this compound, chlorine exists in its highest formal oxidation state of +7.

Chemistry

Dichlorine heptoxide reacts with primary and secondary amines in carbon tetrachloride solution to yield perchloric amides:

:2 :2

It also reacts with alkenes to give alkyl perchlorates. For example, it reacts with propene in carbon tetrachloride solution to yield isopropyl perchlorate and 1-chloro-2-propyl perchlorate.

Dichlorine heptoxide reacts with alcohols to form alkyl perchlorates.

:

Dichlorine heptoxide is a strongly acidic oxide, and in solution it forms an equilibrium with perchloric acid.

Safety

Although it is the most stable chlorine oxide, is a strong oxidizer as well as an explosive that can be set off with flame or mechanical shock, or by contact with iodine.{{cite book | url-access = registration

References

References

1. (2001). "Inorganic chemistry". Academic Press.
2. (1934). "The Formation of Chlorine Heptoxide on Illumination of Mixtures of Chlorine and Ozone". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
3. Martin, Jan M. L. (2006-10-12). "Heats of formation of perchloric acid, HClO₄, and perchloric anhydride, Cl₂O₇. Probing the limits of W1 and W2 theory". Journal of Molecular Structure: THEOCHEM.
4. (1974). "Reactions of dichlorine heptoxide with amines". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
5. (1976). "Reactions of dichlorine heptoxide with olefins". The Journal of Organic Chemistry.
6. (1974-05-01). "Reactions of dichlorine heptoxide with alcohols". Journal of the American Chemical Society.