Molybdenum(III) chloride

Molybdenum(III) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl₃.

Molybdenum(III) chloride

Names
IUPAC names Molybdenum(III) chloride Molybdenum trichloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	13478-18-7^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	75350
ECHA InfoCard	100.033.418
EC Number	236-775-9
PubChem CID	83515
UNII	9D9PY7688B^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6065503
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.Mo/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: ZSSVQAGPXAAOPV-UHFFFAOYSA-K InChI=1/3ClH.Mo/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: ZSSVQAGPXAAOPV-DFZHHIFOAN
SMILES Cl[Mo](Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	MoCl3
Molar mass	202.30 g/mol
Appearance	dark red solid paramagnetic
Density	3.58 g/cm^3
Melting point	410 °C (770 °F; 683 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Solubility	insoluble in ethanol, diethyl ether
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	+43.0·10^−6 cm^3/mol
Hazards
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	Molybdenum(III) fluoride Molybdenum(III) bromide Molybdenum(III) iodide
Other cations	Chromium(IV) chloride Tungsten(V) chloride
Related molybdenum chlorides	Molybdenum(II) chloride Molybdenum(IV) chloride Molybdenum(V) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Synthesis and Structure

The chemical formula of molybdenum trichloride is MoCl₃. Molybdenum trichloride is synthesized by the reduction of molybdenum pentachloride with hydrogen. The greatest yield is instead produced by the reduction of pure molybdenum (V) chloride, using anhydrous tin(II) chloride as a reducing agent. This procedure must be performed under a moisture-free and oxygen-free atmosphere of prepurified nitrogen. There are two structures of molybdenum trichloride- alpha (α) and beta (β). The alpha structure is similar to that of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). In this structure, molybdenum has octahedral coordination geometry and exhibits cubic close packing in its crystalline structure. The beta structure, however, exhibits hexagonal close packing.

THF Complex

The THF complex of molybdenum trichloride is trichlorotris(tetrahydrofuran) molybdenum (III), and its chemical formula is C₁₂H₂₄O₃Cl₃Mo. It is synthesized by stirring MoCl₄(THF)₂, THF, and coarse tin powder. It is a light orange solid that is very moisture-sensitive, so it should be stored under dry argon in a freezer and in the dark. The complex has octahedral geometry. The IR spectrum is free of intense bands in the 900–1000 cm⁻¹, a characteristic of molybdenum oxo species.[1]

References

1. Inorganic syntheses. Volume 28, Reagents for transition metal complex and organometallic syntheses. Angelici, Robert J. New York. 2009-09-22. ISBN 978-0470132944. OCLC 86223997.CS1 maint: others (link)

• Couch, D.E.; Brenner, A. "Preparation of Trichloride and Tetrachloride of Molybdenum." Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards- A. Physics and Chemistry 1959, vol 63A.2, 185-88.
• Dilworth, J.R.; Richards, R.L. “The Synthesis of Molybdenum and Tungsten Dinitrogen Complexes” Inorganic Syntheses, 1990, vol. 28, 33-43
• Hillebrecht, H., et al. "Structural and Scanning Microscopy Studies of Layered Complexes MCl3 (M=Mo, Ru, Cr) and MOCl2 (M=V, Nb, Mo, Ru, Os)." Journal of Alloys and Compounds 1997, vol. 246, 70-79.
• Larson, M.L. “Preparation of Some Metal Halides- Anhydrous Molybdenum Halides and Oxide Halides- A Summary” Inorganic Syntheses 1970, vol. 12, 165-178