Hydrochloric acid, also known as HCl or hydrochloride, belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as halogen hydrides. These are inorganic compounds in which the heaviest atom bonded to a hydrogen atom is a halogen. Hydrochloric acid is a potentially toxic compound.
At room temperature, hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow, corrosive, nonflammable gas that is heavier than air and has a strong irritating odor. On exposure to air, hydrogen chloride forms dense white corrosive vapors. Hydrogen chloride can be released from volcanoes. Hydrogen chloride has many uses, including cleaning, pickling, electroplating metals, tanning leather, and refining and producing a wide variety of products. Hydrogen chloride can be formed during the burning of many plastics. Upon contact with water, it forms hydrochloric acid. Both hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are corrosive.
Preparation[]
Muriatic acid is prepared by warming NaCl crystals with concentrated H2SO4 (sulphuric acid).
HCl can also be prepared by chlorination of hydrocarbons.
Properties[]
HCl is a colourless gas with pungent aroma and hydrochloric acid is the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride. HCl is soluble in water. It liquefies at 189K to form a colourless liquid and freezes at 159K to form a solid white substance.
Uses[]
It has various uses. It is used in preparation of chlorine, aqua regia and other chlorides. It is used as a solvent to dissolve noble gases. It is used as a reagent in several chemical reactions in laboratories.