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3D model (
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PubChem
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Properties | |
BkCl3 | |
Molar mass | 353.36 g/mol |
Appearance | Green solid |
Melting point | 603 °C (1,117 °F; 876 K) [1] |
Soluble | |
Structure | |
Hexagonal | |
P63/m | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their
standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Berkelium(III) chloride also known as berkelium trichloride, is a chemical compound with the formula BkCl3. It is a water-soluble green salt with a melting point of 603 °C. This compound forms the hexahydrate, BkCl3·6H2O.
This compound was first prepared in 1970 by reacting hydrogen chloride gas and berkelium(IV) oxide or berkelium(III) oxide at 520 °C: [2]
Berkelium(III) chloride reacts with beryllocene to produce berkelocene(Bk(C5H5)3). [3] It also reacts with oxalic acid to produce berkelium oxalate. This reaction is used to purify this compound, by reacting the oxalate with hydrochloric acid. [4]
Anhydrous berkelium(III) chloride has a hexagonal crystal structure, is isostructural to uranium trichloride, and has the person symbol hP6. When heated it its melting point, it converts to an orthorhombic phase. [2] However, the hexahydrate has a monoclinic crystal structure and is isostructural to americium trichloride hexahydrate with the lattice constants a = 966 pm, b = 654 pm and c = 797 pm. [5] This hexahydrate consists of BkCl2(OH2)6+ ions and Cl− ions.
Caesium sodium berkelium chloride is known with the formula Cs2NaBkCl6 and is produced by the reaction of berkelium(III) hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and caesium chloride. [6]