Hydrogen Chloride

Introduction

hydrogen chloride, also known as hydrogen halide, has the chemical formula HCl. It is a colourless gas at a lower temperature that reacts with water vapour in the air to produce white fumes of hydrochloric acid. In industry and technology, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen chloride gas are crucial.

At normal pressure and temperature, hydrogen chloride, a gas composed of the elements hydrogen and chlorine, is a gas. Hydrochloric acid is the name given to a gaseous solution in water. Hydrogen gas and chlorine gas can be combined directly to generate hydrogen chloride; the process is quick at temperatures above 250°C.

A chloride, typically sodium chloride, is typically used to create hydrogen chloride both in laboratories and on an industrial scale by reacting with sulfuric acid. Additionally, it is created as a byproduct of the chlorination of numerous organic molecules as well as by the reaction of certain chlorides with water.

What is Hydrogen Chloride

• Hydrogen chloride is a chemical substance with the formula $\mathrm{HCl}$. At first, in 1648, Glauber created hydrogen chloride by boiling sodium chloride with concentrated sulphuric acid. Davy, on the other hand, stated that 𝐻𝐶𝑙 was a substance combined with hydrogen and chlorine in 1840.

• Muriatic acid is used as the popular name for hydrochloric acid. Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule with covalent between chlorine and hydrogen. Hydrogen has a partial positive charge and whereas a partial negative charge for chlorine. This charge difference is due to the higher electronegativity of chlorine than a hydrogen atom.

Hydrogen chloride

Production of Hydrogen Chloride

The majority of the industrially produced hydrogen chloride can be utilised to make hydrochloric acid.

• In 1648, Glauber heated sodium chloride with concentrated sulphuric acid to produce hydrogen chloride for the first time. In 1840, Davy proved that 𝐻𝐶𝑙 is a chemical compound made up of chlorine and hydrogen. Hydrochloric acid is also known as muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is created by heating concentrated $\mathrm{H_{2}SO_{4}}$ with 𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 crystals.

$$\mathrm{NaCl\:+\:H_{2}SO_{4}\:\rightarrow\:NaHSO_{4}\:+\:HCl}$$

• We end up with sodium bisulphate, an insoluble byproduct. We, therefore, supplement it with more sodium chloride. It is necessary to heat this mixture to a higher temperature. Both $\mathrm{HCl}$ gas and soluble sodium sulphate are produced. Strong sulfuric acid is used to dry out this HCl. When strong lime or phosphorus pentoxide are present, 𝐻𝐶𝑙 does not dry. This is a result of how both of these molecules react with it.

$$\mathrm{NaHSO_{4}\:+\:HCl\:\rightarrow\:Na_{2}SO_{4}\:+\:HCl}$$

• Most of the hydrogen chloride created is typically a byproduct of other chemical reactions. 𝐻𝐶𝑙 is also produced when hydrocarbons are chlorinated.

• Gaseous hydrogen chloride is dissolved in water to create hydrochloric acid. Equipment made of ceramic, glass, or occasionally tantalum is usually utilized because acid is corrosive.

Direct Synthesis

Chlorine and hydrogen can be combined to create very pure hydrogen chloride. The following is the chemical reaction for the same.

$$\mathrm{Cl_{2}\:+\:H_{2}\:\rightarrow\:2HCl}$$

We can refer to the setup as either an HCl burner or an HCl oven because the reaction is exothermic. The resulting chemically pure hydrochloric acid can be used to dissolve the hydrogen chloride gas in deionized water.

Organic Synthesis

• The manufacturing of hydrogen chloride in industries frequently involves the synthesis of chlorinated and fluorinated organic chemicals, such as tetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride and Freon, chloroacetic acid.

• The creation of hydrochloric acid and its confined on-site application are frequently linked processes. Chlorine atoms can replace the hydrogen atoms on the hydrocarbon in chemical processes, and the hydrogen atom that is liberated then combines with the extra atom from the chlorine molecule to make hydrogen chloride.

• The chemical reaction that results in fluorination is the chlorine replacement followed by the production of new hydrogen chloride.

$$\mathrm{R\:-\:H\:+\:Cl_{2}\rightarrow\:R\:-\:Cl\:+\:HCl}$$

$$\mathrm{R\:-\:Cl\:+\:HF\rightarrow\:R\:-\:F\:+\:HCl}$$

Uses of Hydrogen Chloride Gas

• Aqua regia, chlorine, and other chlorides can be made with the help of 𝐻𝐶𝑙.

• It can also be used as a reagent in scientific settings.

• It can be used to dissolve noble gases as a solvent.

• Before iron or steel is processed into the sheet, strip coating and wires, or tin mill products, iron oxide is removed from it using the pickling process, which makes use of mild hydrochloric acid.

• Making organic compounds − HCl helps in the creation of organic substances like dichloromethane and vinyl chloride, which are both used to manufacture PVC. Additionally, it produces medications and organic chemicals like ascorbic acid.

• Synthesis of inorganic compounds − The use of HCl in the synthesis of chemicals for water treatment is advantageous. Examples of substances that are efficient for treating water include poly aluminium chloride, ferric acid, and aluminium carbohydrate. Additionally, it helps regenerate ion-exchange resins, especially when precipitating cations from the resins.

• Gastric Acid − The gastric juice produced by the body, which helps in digestion, contains hydrochloric acid, an important component. The hydrochloric acid present in the stomach can change inert pepsinogen into active pepsin, which helps in digestion by breaking the links that bind amino acids. This process is known as proteolysis. Hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for indigestion, is present in gastric juice in the body.

Conclusion

A chemical compound made of the elements hydrogen and chlorine is called hydrogen chloride. It quickly dissolves in water to create hydrochloric acid as a solution. Both chemicals are used in numerous significant industrial processes, such as metallurgy, the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and synthetic rubber. It is also an important component of digestion in the human body. Various organic and inorganic compounds are synthesised using this. Since its highly acidic nature makes it an incredibly valuable material in analyses and as a general acid, hydrochloric acid can be found in most laboratories.

FAQs

1. What type of acid is used to create hydrogen chloride gas?

Employing concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride gas is produced.

2. Give two examples of gases combining to create a white solid?

A white solid is produced by the reaction of ammonia with hydrogen chloride

3. Why is it impossible to boil diluted hydrochloric acid to a concentration higher than 22.2%?

By boiling, it can only be concentrated to a maximum of 22.2% because the molecules of diluted hydrochloric acid which is in gaseous form mix with water vapour.

4. What physical characteristics does hydrogen chloride gas have?

• It is an inert gas with no smell or colour.

• It tastes nasty and smells strong.

• In other non-polar solvents and water, it dissolves easily.

• The boiling point of 𝐻𝐶𝑙 gas is -82°C and its melting point is -112°C.

• It has a caustic character and, when inhaled, can cause choking, coughing, and sneezing as well as irritation, pain, and inflammation.

5. How can hydrogen chloride be changed into nascent chlorine?

Nascent chlorine is prepared by mixing one part concentrated nitric acid, hydrogen chloride and three parts concentrated hydrochloric acid.