Molybdenum(III) chloride

Molybdenum(III) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl₃. It forms purple crystals.^[1]

Molybdenum(III) chloride

Molybdenum(III) chloride alpha polymorph α-MoCl3 Molybdenum(III) chloride beta polymorph β-MoCl3
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/cm3
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 cm3/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). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Synthesis and structure

Molybdenum(III) chloride is synthesized by the reduction of molybdenum(V) chloride with hydrogen.^[2] A higher yield is produced by the reduction of pure molybdenum(V) chloride with anhydrous tin(II) chloride as the reducing agent.^[3]

Molybdenum trichloride exists as two polymorphs: 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.^[4]

Ether complexes

Molybdenum trichloride gives a ether complexes MoCl₃(thf)₃ and MoCl₃(Et₂O)₃. They are beige, paramagnetic solids. Both feature octahedral Mo centers. The diethyl ether complex is synthesized by reducing a Et₂O solution of MoCl₅ with tin powder.^[5] Older procedures involve stepwise reduction involving isolation of the Mo(IV)-thf complex.^[6]

Hexa(tert-butoxy)dimolybdenum(III) is prepared by the salt metathesis reaction from MoCl₃(thf)₃:^[7]

2 MoCl₃(thf)₃ + 6 LiOBu-t → Mo₂(OBu-t)₆ + 6 LiCl + 6 thf