Molybdenum(VI) chloride explained

Molybdenum(VI) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl₆. It is a black diamagnetic solid. The molecules adopt an octahedral structure as seen in β-tungsten(VI) chloride.^[1]

Preparation and reactions

Molybdenum(VI) chloride is prepared from the molybdenum hexafluoride with excess boron trichloride:

MoF₆ + 3 BCl₃ → MoCl₆ + 3 BF₂Cl

It is unstable at room temperature with respect to molybdenum(V) chloride and decomposition completes within several days:

2 MoCl₆ → [MoCl₅]₂ + Cl₂

The treatment of with bismuth trichloride also produces MoCl₆.^[1]

References

1. Tamadon, Farhad . Seppelt, K. . The Elusive Halides VCl₅, MoCl₆, and ReCl₆. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2012. 52. 2. 767–769. 10.1002/anie.201207552. 23172658.