Molybdenum(VI) chloride

Molybdenum(VI) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl₆. It is a black diamagnetic solid. The molecules adopt an octahedral structure as seen in β-tungsten(VI) chloride.^[1]

Molybdenum(VI) chloride

Names
Other names molybdenum hexachloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	13706-19-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	377952
PubChem CID	150193
UNII	779I95MPQK
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID50330162
InChI InChI=1S/6ClH.Mo/h6*1H;/q;;;;;;+6/p-6 Key: DBGPLCIFYUHWKA-UHFFFAOYSA-H
SMILES Cl[Mo](Cl)(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	MoCl6
Molar mass	308.65 g·mol−1
Appearance	black solid
Related compounds
Related compounds	Molybdenum(VI) fluoride Molybdenum(V) chloride Molybdenum(IV) chloride Molybdenum(III) chloride Molybdenum(II) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation and reactions

Molybdenum(VI) chloride is prepared from the molybdenum hexafluoride with excess boron trichloride:

MoF₆ + 3 BCl₃ → MoCl₆ + 3 BF₂Cl

It is unstable at room temperature with respect to molybdenum(V) chloride and chlorine and decomposition completes within several days:

2 MoCl₆ → [MoCl₅]₂ + Cl₂