Phosgene is formed slowly from which one of the following on exposure to air and sunlight?

Phosgene is formed slowly from which one of the following on exposure to air and sunlight?
  1. $\mathrm{CHCl}_3$
  2. $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{CCl}$
  3. $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{COH}$
  4. $\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{Cl}$

Solution

In the presence of air and light, chloroform forms carbonyl chloride (also called phosgene) which is extremely poisonous. $\underset{\text { chloroform }}{\mathrm{CHCl}_3}+\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{O}_2 \stackrel{\text { Air and light }}{\longrightarrow} \underset{\text { phosgene }}{\mathrm{COCl}_2}+\mathrm{HCl}$

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2011

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