Phosgene (carbonyl chloride), COCl2, is an extremely toxic gas that is used in m
ID: 491982 • Letter: P
Question
Phosgene (carbonyl chloride), COCl2, is an extremely toxic gas that is used in manufacturing certain dyes and plastics. Phosgene can be produced by reacting carbon monoxide and chlorine gas at high temperatures:
CO(g)+Cl2(g)COCl2(g)
Carbon monoxide and chlorine gas are allowed to react in a sealed vessel at 470 C . At equilibrium, the concentrations were measured and the following results obtained:
What is the equilibrium constant, Kp, of this reaction?
Express your answer numerically.
Gas Partial Pressure(atm) CO 0.860 Cl2 1.15 COCl2 0.230
Explanation / Answer
Kp = [PCOCl2] / [PCO][PCl2]
PCoCl2 = 0.23 atm
PCO = 0.86 atm
PCl2 = 1.15 atm
Kp = [0.23] / [0.86] [1.15]
Kp = 0.23 / 0.989
Kp = 0.232