Pentaamminechlororhodium dichloride

Pentamminechlororhodium dichloride is the dichloride salt of the coordination complex [RhCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺. It is a yellow, water-soluble solid. The salt is an intermediate in the purification of rhodium from its ores.

Pentaamminechlororhodium dichloride

Names
Other names Claus' salt, Pentaamminechlororhodium dichloride, chloropentaamminerhodium dichloride, chloropentaamminerhodium chloride, chloropentamminerhodium(III) dichloride, chloropentamminerhodium(III) chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	13820-95-6
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	62779325
ECHA InfoCard	100.034.082
EC Number	237-505-2
PubChem CID	159699
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID00930015
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.5H3N.Rh/h3*1H;5*1H3;/q;;;;;;;;+3/p-3 Key: ICJGGTVWZZBROS-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES [Cl-].Cl[Ru-3]([NH3+])([NH3+])([NH3+])([NH3+])[NH3+].[Cl-]
Properties
Chemical formula	[RhCl(NH3)5]Cl2
Appearance	yellow solid
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

As shown by X-ray crystallography, the salt consists of the octahedral complex [RhCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺ and two chloride counterions.^[1] It forms from the reaction of rhodium trichloride and ammonia in ethanol.^[2] Two chloride anions are labile, whereas the coordinated chloride ligand is not.

Treatment of [RhCl(NH₃)₅]Cl₂ with zinc dust in the presence of ammonia gives the hydride complex [RhH(NH₃)₅]²⁺.^[2][3]

Related compounds

• Chloropentamminecobalt chloride
• Chloropentammineiridium chloride^[4]