Bismuth Selenochloride, BiSeCl

Bismuth Selenochloride, BiSeCl, is obtained in the form of small, dark grey, metallic needles by the action of bismuth selenide on molten ammonium bismuth chloride. It is decomposed into bismuth trichloride and bismuth selenide on heating in a current of carbon dioxide. It is not attacked by water, and hardly at all by concentrated hydrochloric acid; concentrated nitric acid decomposes it with liberation of selenium. Chlorine is liberated by the action of potassium hydroxide, and more slowly by weaker bases.