Synthesis of oligomeric chlorophosphazenes in the presence of ZnCl2

With the use of 31 P NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the partial ammonolysis of PCl 5 by ammonium chloride in chlorobenzene in the presence of zinc chloride is investigated. The use of zinc chloride reduces the reaction time to 1.5 h and increases the yield of oligomeric chlorophosphazenes up to 95%. Some assumptions are made about the role of ZnCl 2 in the process and about the feasibility of the mechanism of formation of higher cyclic chlorophosphazenes, the hexamer and the octamer.