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What does 'in situ' mean?!?!

In my book it says, ... to make a Chloroalkane by reacting an alcohol with PCl3,
But PBr3 and PI3 are usually made in situ by refluxing.

Ive looked up the meaning of in situ which is in the reaction mixture.
But I don't still get it?! :s-smilie:
Original post by Adorable98
In my book it says, ... to make a Chloroalkane by reacting an alcohol with PCl3,
But PBr3 and PI3 are usually made in situ by refluxing.

Ive looked up the meaning of in situ which is in the reaction mixture.
But I don't still get it?! :s-smilie:


http://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/22364/what-is-heating-under-reflux

In situ is a Latin phrase used in lots of different contexts, and it just means "in that place/position" - as a contrast to elsewhere.

Looking at that link above, it explains that if you have a volatile compound, the reactants may just escape, so you use reflux apparatus to keep all the components in the same place.
Original post by Adorable98
In my book it says, ... to make a Chloroalkane by reacting an alcohol with PCl3,
But PBr3 and PI3 are usually made in situ by refluxing.

Ive looked up the meaning of in situ which is in the reaction mixture.
But I don't still get it?! :s-smilie:


In this example it means the reagent is made and used at the same time, that is, it is not isolated and added to the reaction mixture when needed. This is probably down to reactivity or instability of the reagent.
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Adorable98
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Original post by TeachChemistry
In this example it means the reagent is made and used at the same time, that is, it is not isolated and added to the reaction mixture when needed. This is probably down to reactivity or instability of the reagent.


I see, thankss

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