Synthesis and Characterization of Selenium and Tellurium Oxychlorosulphates - OxoBis(Chlorosulphato)selenium(IV) Tellurium(IV); MO(SO3Cl)2[M = Te or Se]

Sodium selenite, Na2SeO3 and sodium tellurite, Na2TeO3 dissolved in chlorosulphuric acid yielding highly conducting yellow colored solutions. Conductometric and spectrophotometric studies on these solutions reveal that these yellow colored solutions contain the solvolysed species, MO(SO3Cl)2 [M = Se or Te]. Concentrated solutions of sodium selenite and sodium tellurite afforded the isolation of solid of selenium and tellurium oxychlorosulphates. These oxychlorosulphates are hygroscopic and non-polymeric.