MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE Property

Melting point:

194 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

268 °C (lit.)

Density 

2.928 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

vapor pressure 

1.75 mm Hg ( 25 °C)

solubility 

Soluble in dry ether, dry alcohol, organic solvents and chlorinated solvents.

form 

powder

color 

White to gray

Specific Gravity

2.928

Water Solubility 

soluble in dry ether and dry alcohol, in other organic solvents [HAW93]

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Stability:

Stable, but moisture and air-sensitive. Contact with water liberates toxic gas. Incompatible with water, strong oxidizing agents.

CAS DataBase Reference

10241-05-1(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Molybdenum chloride (MoCl5) (10241-05-1)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

C

Risk Statements 

29-34-48/20/22-40

Safety Statements 

26-36/37/39-43-45

RIDADR 

UN 2508 8/PG 3

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

QA4690000

F 

1-3-10

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

8

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

28273985

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

H351Suspected of causing cancer

Precautionary statements

P201Obtain special instructions before use.

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P301+P330+P331IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.

P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower.

MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Physical Properties

Greenish-black monoclinic crystals or dark red as liquid or vapor; paramagnetic; hygroscopic; critical temperature 577°C; critical volume 369 cm3/mol; soluble in dry ether, dry alcohol and many other organic solvents; reacts with water.

Preparation

Molybdenum pentachloride may be prepared by heating molybdenite in chlorine. Sulfur chloride formed in the reaction is removed by distillation:
2MoS2 + 7Cl2 → 2MoCl5 + 2S2Cl2
Also, the compound may be prepared by the action of chlorine on molybdenum metal at elevated temperatures (500°C):
2Mo + 5Cl2 → 2MoCl5
The pentachloride may be obtained from the tetrachloride, MoCl4. The latter, when heated in a sealed tube sublimes, and upon cooling, disproportionates to MoCl5 and the trichloride, MoCl3:
2MoCl4 → MoCl5 + MoCl3

Chemical Properties

Green-black solid, dark red as liquid orvapor.Hygroscopic,reacting with water and air. Soluble in dry ether,dry alcohol, and other organic solvents.

Uses

Chlorination catalyst, vapor-deposited molyb-denum coatings, component of fire-retardant resins,brazing and soldering flux, intermediate fororganometallic compounds, e.g., molybdenum hex-acarbonyl.

Uses

Molybdenum pentachloride (MoCl5) is used as a brazing and soldering flux and to make fire-retardant resins.

Uses

Molybdenum pentachloride MoCl5 is used as a catalyst for several polymerization reactions involving olefins, vinyl monomers, trioxane, ethylene, vinylcyclohexane, cyclopentene, and butadiene.

Definition

ChEBI: Molybdenum pentachloride is a molybdenum halide.

Air & Water Reactions

MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE may react with water to produce corrosive hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes.

Reactivity Profile

MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE is a corrosive, hygroscopic solid, on contact with water or steam MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE decomposes to form hydrochloric acid. When heated to decomposition MOLYBDENUM(V) CHLORIDE emits toxic fumes of molybdenum chlorides and metallic molybdenum [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 892]. Explodes on contact with finely divided sodium [Berry D. H., Chem. Eng. News, 1989, 67(47), p. 2]. Reaction with finely divided sodium sulfide is violent, may lead to autoignition [Kaner, R. B., Nature, 1991, 349, p. 510].

Hazard

Irritant.

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.

Safety Profile

A poison. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Reacts with moisture to form hydrochloric acid. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Mo and Cl-.