Californium(III) chloride explained

Californium(III) chloride is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula CfCl₃. As in californium oxide (Cf₂O₃) and other californium halides, including californium(III) fluoride (CfF₃) and iodide (CfI₃), the californium atom has an oxidation state of +3.

Preparation

Californium(III) chloride can prepared by reacting californium(III) oxide with hydrogen chloride.

Cf₂O₃ + 6 HCl → 2 CfCl₃ + 3 H₂O

Properties

Chemical properties

When heating californium(III) chloride until 500 °C, it can hydrolyse to produce californium oxychloride.

Physical properties

Californium(III) chloride is soluble in water, giving Cf³⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. This salt has an emerald-green color. Its crystal structure is hexagonal.^[1] It is strongly radioactive.

See also

• Californium
• Californium compounds

Notes and References

1. Book: Cotton, Simon. Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons. West Sussex, England. 2006. 978-0-470-01006-8. 168.