Molybdenum(IV) chloride

Molybdenum tetrachloride

Names
IUPAC name Molybdenum tetrachloride
Other names Molybdenum(IV) chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	13320-71-3 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	75200 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.033.039
PubChem CID	83340
InChI InChI=1S/4ClH.Mo/h4*1H;/q;;;;+4/p-4 N Key: OYMJNIHGVDEDFX-UHFFFAOYSA-J N InChI=1/4ClH.Mo/h4*1H;/q;;;;+4/p-4/rCl4Mo/c1-5(2,3)4 Key: OYMJNIHGVDEDFX-DFQGPNMMAB
SMILES Cl[Mo](Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	Cl4Mo
Molar mass	237.752 g/mol
Appearance	black solid
Melting point	552 °C (1,026 °F; 825 K)
Solubility in water	Decomposes
Hazards
NFPA 704	0 3 1
Flash point	Non flammable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Molybdenum tetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the empirical formula MoCl₄. The material exists as two polymorphs, a polymeric ("α") and a hexameric ("β") structures, although neither form is soluble in any solvent without degradation. In each polymorph, the Mo center is octahedral with two terminal chloride ligands and four doubly bridging ligands.

It can be prepared from by dechlorination of molybdenum pentachloride using tetrachloroethene:

The acetonitrile adduct, which is a versatile intermediate, can be prepared directly from the pentachloride:

The MeCN ligands can be exchanged with other ligands: