The Use of Phosgene for the Removal of Oxide Impurities from a Sodium Chloroaluminate Melt Saturated with Sodium Chloride

A method based on the use of phosgene to remove oxide impurities from sodium chloroaluminate melts saturated with sodium chloride was investigated using infrared spectroscopy as a probe for melt oxide species. The efficiency of phosgene to remove oxide impurities was found to be affected by temperature. The practical value of this method for oxide removal was demonstrated by the preparation of a solution of pure transition metal chloride complex in a phosgene melt.