Molybdenum oxytetrachloride explained

Molybdenum oxytetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoOCl₄. This thermally unstable, dark green solid is used to prepare other complexes of molybdenum. It adopts a square pyramidal structure of C_4v symmetry. As for other Mo(VI) compounds, it is diamagnetic. It decomposes thermally to MoOCl₃.

Preparation

It is prepared by treating molybdenum pentachloride with oxygen.^[1] It also arises by chlorination of molybdenum trioxide:^[2]

MoO₃ + 2 SOCl₂ → MoOCl₄ + 2 SO₂

See also

• Molybdenum dichloride dioxide

Notes and References

1. Book: 10.1002/9780470132418.ch8. Molybdenum(VI) Oxide Chloride. Inorganic Syntheses. 54–57. 1967. Mallock. Alan K.. Inorganic Syntheses. 10. 9780470132418.
2. Book: 10.1002/9780470132548.ch41. Tungsten and Molybdenum Tetrachloride Oxides. Inorganic Syntheses. 323–325. 1985. Nielson. A. J.. Inorganic Syntheses. 23. 9780470132548.