Indium(III) bromide


Indium bromide,, InBr3, is a chemical compound of indium and bromine. It is a Lewis acid and has been used in organic synthesis.

Structure

It has the same crystal structure as aluminium trichloride, with 6 coordinate indium atoms. When molten it is dimeric, In2Br6, and it is predominantly dimeric in the gas phase. The dimer has bridging bromine atoms with a structure similar to dimeric aluminium trichloride Al2Cl6.

Preparation and reactions

It is formed by the reaction of indium and bromine.
InBr3 forms complexes with ligands, L, InBr3L, InBr3L2, InBr3L3.
Reaction with indium metal forms lower valent indium bromides, InBr2, In4Br7, In2Br3, In5Br7, In7Br9, indium bromide.
In refluxing xylene solution InBr3 and In metal react to form InBr2.