Molybdenum(III) chloride


Molybdenum chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl3.

Synthesis and Structure

The chemical formula of molybdenum trichloride is MoCl3. Molybdenum trichloride is synthesized by the reduction of molybdenum pentachloride with hydrogen. The greatest yield is instead produced by the reduction of pure molybdenum chloride, using anhydrous tin chloride as a reducing agent. This procedure must be performed under a moisture-free and oxygen-free atmosphere of prepurified nitrogen. There are two structures of molybdenum trichloride- alpha and beta. The alpha structure is similar to that of aluminum chloride. In this structure, molybdenum has octahedral coordination geometry and exhibits cubic close packing in its crystalline structure. The beta structure, however, exhibits hexagonal close packing.

THF Complex

The THF complex of molybdenum trichloride is trichlorotris molybdenum, and its chemical formula is C12H24O3Cl3Mo. It is synthesized by stirring MoCl42, THF, and coarse tin powder. It is a light orange solid that is very moisture-sensitive, so it should be stored under dry argon in a freezer and in the dark. The complex has octahedral geometry. The IR spectrum is free of intense bands in the 900–1000 cm−1, a characteristic of molybdenum oxo species.