Names | |
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IUPAC name
Molybdenum tetrachloride
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Other names
Molybdenum(IV) chloride
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Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol)
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ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.033.039 |
PubChem
CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (
EPA)
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Properties | |
Cl4Mo | |
Molar mass | 237.752 g/mol |
Appearance | black solid |
Melting point | 552 °C (1,026 °F; 825 K) |
Decomposes | |
Hazards | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Flash point | Non flammable |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds
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Molybdenum(II) chloride Molybdenum(III) 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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Molybdenum tetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the empirical formula MoCl4. The material exists as two polymorphs, both being dark-colored paramagnetic solids. These compounds are mainly of interest as precursors to other molybdenum complexes.
The α polymorph is a polymer. The β polymorph is a hexamer. In both polymorph, the Mo center is octahedral with two terminal chloride ligands and four doubly bridging ligands. [1] In addition to these two binary phases, a number of adducts are know with the formula MoCl4L2 where L is a Lewis base.
α-Molybdenum tetrachloride can be prepared from by dechlorination of molybdenum pentachloride using tetrachloroethene: [2]
Heating α-molybdenum tetrachloride in a sealed container in the presence of molybdenum pentachloride induces conversion to the β polymorph. [2]
When heated in an open container, molybdenum tetrachloride evolves chlorine, giving molybdenum trichloride; [2]
The acetonitrile complex adduct can be prepared by reduction of the pentachloride with acetonitrile: [3] [4]
The MeCN ligands can be exchanged with other ligands:
The pentachloride can be reduced to the ether complex MoCl4(Et2O)2 using tin powder. It is a beige, paramagnetic solid. [5]