When chlorine (real gas , 980 mmHg) combines with white (a) phosphorus to form phosphorus pentachloride at 24.89 °C, 3986.3±2.7 J of heat are liberated per gram of stoichiometrically equivalent Mg,P,07. This value was determined by a dead-ended flow system in an electrically calibrated isoperibol calorimeter. Correction was made for the formation of up lU one Ifwl percent PCb in th e products ; no other impurities were found. From this value, the standard (25°C, ideal gas) enthalpy of formation of PCIs(c} is calculated to be -443.85 ± 0.30 kl/mol, -Hl6.08± 0.07 kcal/mol. When this figure is combined with a recent determination of the enthalpy of hydrolysis of PCIs(c}, the standard enthalpy of formation of HaPO, (aq, 100 H,O) is calc ulated to be -1296.5 ± 1.5 kl/mol, in good agreement with two other values whic h involve the formation .and hydrolysis of P,O,. (hex). A "best value" is suggested: IiHF (H 3 PO" 100 H2 0} = -1295.8 ± 1.3 kJ/mol, -309.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mol.