Process for the production of tin(iv) chloride

Abstract

Chlorine is reacted with excess tin in liquid tin(IV) chloride at 20.degree. to 90.degree. C., 30 to 300 dm.sup.3 (S.T.P.)h.sup.-1 of chlorine being passed in per dm.sup.3 of tin(IV) chloride present in the reaction chamber and 0.08 to 0.3 dm.sup.3 h.sup.-1 of tin(IV) chloride being recycled with cooling per 1 dm.sup.3 (S.T.P.)h.sup.-1 of chlorine passed in. An excess of tin of at least 4 times the weight of chlorine passed in per hour is maintained. An amount of tin(IV) chloride is taken out of the cycle such that the level of the tin(IV) chloride in the reaction chamber remains approximately constant. The tin(IV) chloride taken off is brought into contact at 60.degree. to 110.degree. C. for an average residence time of 1 to 7 hours with tin in liquid tin(IV) chloride, thereafter filtered and, if appropriate, treated with absorbing agents. Pure, ready-for-use tin(IV) chloride is obtained continuously without a purification by distillation in a simple, readily cleanable apparatus made of a cheap material.