Selenium oxydichloride


Selenium oxydichloride is the inorganic compound with the formula SeOCl2. It is a colorless liquid. With a high dielectric constant and high specific conductance, it is an attractive solvent. Structurally, it is a close chemical relative of thionyl chloride SOCl2, being a pyramidal molecule.

Preparation and reactions

Selenium oxydichloride can be prepared by several methods, and a popular one involves the conversion of selenium dioxide to dichloroselenious acid followed by dehydration:
The original synthesis involved the redistribution reaction of selenium dioxide and selenium tetrachloride.
The compound hydrolyzes readily to form hydrogen chloride and selenium dioxide.