Indium trichloride

Indium(III) chloride

Names
Other names Indium chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	10025-82-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	23197 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.027
PubChem CID	24812
UNII	58TD96H03I Y
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.In/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Y Key: PSCMQHVBLHHWTO-UHFFFAOYSA-K Y InChI=1/3ClH.In/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: PSCMQHVBLHHWTO-DFZHHIFOAF
SMILES Cl[In](Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	InCl3
Molar mass	221.18 g/mol
Appearance	white flakes
Density	3.46 g/cm3
Melting point	586 °C (1,087 °F; 859 K)
Boiling point	800 °C (1,470 °F; 1,070 K)
Solubility in water	195 g/100 mL, exothermic
Solubility in other solvents	THF, Ethanol
Structure
Crystal structure	Monoclinic, mS16
Space group	C12/m1, No. 12
Hazards
NFPA 704	0 2 0
Related compounds
Other anions	Indium(III) fluoride Indium(III) bromide Indium(III) iodide
Other cations	Aluminium chloride Gallium trichloride Thallium(III) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Indium(III) chloride is the chemical compound with the formula InCl₃. This colorless salt finds some use in organic synthesis as a Lewis acid. It is also the most available soluble derivative of indium.

Being a relatively electropositive metal, indium reacts quickly with chlorine to give the trichloride. Indium trichloride is very soluble and deliquescent. A synthesis has been reported using an electrochemical cell in a mixed methanol-benzene solution.

Like AlCl₃ and TlCl₃, InCl₃ crystallizes as a layered structure consisting of close-packed chloride arrangement containing layers of octahedrally coordinated In(III) centers. The motif is akin to that seen for YCl₃. In contrast, GaCl₃ crystallizes as dimers containing Ga₂Cl₆. Molten InCl₃ conducts electricity, whereas AlCl₃ does not as it converts to the molecular dimer, Al₂Cl₆.

InCl₃ is a Lewis acid and forms complexes with donor ligands, L, InCl₃L, InCl₃L₂, InCl₃L₃. For example with chloride ion it forms tetrahedral, InCl₄⁻; trigonal bipyramidal, InCl₅²⁻ and octahedral InCl₆³⁻.

In diethyl ether solution InCl₃ reacts with lithium hydride, LiH, to form ${\displaystyle {\ce {LiInH4}}}$, an unstable compound decomposing below 0 °C, which is reacted "in situ" in organic synthesis as a reducing agent and to prepare tertiary amine and phosphine complexes of InH₃.