Physical Properties of Hydrogen Chloride

Hydrogen chloride is a compound that is a gas at room temperature that gives off fumes of hydrochloric acid when it comes into contact with atmospheric humidity. Confusingly, both hydrochloric acid and hydrogen chloride have the same chemical formula of HCl, but each compound has distinctly different properties. Both compounds are important in industry and technology and are dangerous to touch or breathe in.

Temperature

Hydrogen chloride is a colorless, pungent gas at room temperature, it will boil at -85.1 degrees Celsius (187.9 Kelvin) and it will melt at -114.2 degrees Celsius (158.8 Kelvin).

Density, Weight and Solubility

The density of HCl is 1.477 grams per liter in its gaseous state. The molecular weight of the compound is 36.461 grams per mol. The compound has solubility in water of 72 grams per 100 milliliters. When added to water, hydrogen chloride is converted to hydrochloric acid. The compound is also soluble in benzene, alcohol and ether.

Structure

Structurally, the compound consists of diatomic molecules that contain a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom connected with a covalent single bond.

References

• Air Liquide: Hydrogen Chloride
• J Rank: Hydrogen Chloride
• OSHA: Hydrogen Chloride
• In Chem: Hydrogen Chloride