Crystals of antimony trichloride left in a flask after a Swarts reaction.

After distilling the reaction products, the antimony-trichloride/trifluoride distilled/sublimed out from the gunk at the bottom of the flask forming beautiful crystals.

Swarts reaction is a HalEx reaction (Halogen exchange) what is used to prepare organic fluorine containing compounds from other halogen containing compounds and antimony trifluoride. Because the harsh reaction conditions, often high percent of decomposition also happens, but in several cases it works fine.

9:30 pm • 23 April 2016 • 572 notes • View comments