Molybdenum oxytetrachloride is the

inorganic compound In chemistry, an inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds, that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as '' inorganic chemist ...

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 Symmetry (from grc, συμμετρία "agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement") in everyday language refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. In mathematics, "symmetry" has a more precise definit ...

. As for other Mo(VI) compounds, it is diamagnetic. It decomposes thermally to MoOCl₃.

Preparation

It is prepared by treating

molybdenum pentachloride Molybdenum(V) chloride is the inorganic compound with the empirical formula . This dark volatile solid is used in research to prepare other molybdenum compounds. It is moisture-sensitive and soluble in chlorinated solvents. Structure Usually call ...

with oxygen. It also arises by chlorination of

molybdenum trioxide Molybdenum trioxide describes a family of inorganic compounds with the formula MoO3(H2O)n where n = 0, 1, 2. These compounds are produced on the largest scale of any molybdenum compound. The anhydrous oxide is a precursor to molybdenum metal, an ...

: :MoO₃ + 2 SOCl₂ → MoOCl₄ + 2 SO₂

References

{{Molybdenum compounds Oxychlorides Molybdenum(VI) compounds

Preparation

See also

References