Iridium(III) chloride

Iridium(III) chloride
Names
Other names
Iridium trichloride
Identifiers
10025-83-9 Yes
ChemSpider 23837 
EC number 233-044-6
PubChem 82301
Properties
IrCl3
Molar mass 298.58 g/mol (anhydrous)
Appearance dark green solid
hygroscopic
Density 5.30 g/cm3, solid
Melting point 763 °C (1,405 °F; 1,036 K) (decomposes)
insoluble (anhydrous IrCl3), soluble (hydrated derivative)
Structure
Crystal structure Monoclinic, mS16
Space group C12/m1, No. 12
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfHo298)
-257 kJ/mol
Hazards
EU classification not listed
Flash point non-flammable
Related compounds
Other cations
Rhodium(III) chloride
Related compounds
Platinum(II) chloride
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Iridium(III) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula IrCl3. This material is relatively rare, but the related hydrate is useful for preparing other iridium compounds. The anhydrous salt is a dark green crystalline solid. More commonly encountered is the trihydrate IrCl3(H2O)3 (CAS number [14996-61-3]).

Preparation

Iridium is separated from the other platinum group metals as crystalline ammonium hexachloroiridate(IV), (NH4)2[IrCl6] (CAS number [16940-92-4]), which can be reduced to iridium metal in a stream of hydrogen. The spongy Ir thus produced reacts with chlorine at 300–400 °C to produce iridium(III) chloride. Like the related rhodium compound, IrCl3 adopts the structure seen for aluminium chloride.[1]

The hydrated form is obtained by heating hydrated iridium(III) oxide with hydrochloric acid.

Uses

Hydrated iridium(III) chloride is used in the laboratory for the preparation of other iridium compounds such as Vaska's complex, trans-[IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2].[2] Alkene complexes such as the dimeric {Ir(COD)Cl}2[3][4] and {Ir(cyclooctene)2Cl}2[4][3] can also be prepared by heating the trichloride with the appropriate alkene in water/alcohol mixtures. Industrially, most iridium complexes are generated from H2IrCl6 or (NH4)2IrCl6 as these salts are the most common commercial forms of iridium chlorides, being directly obtained in the purification of iridium.

Safety

Iridium(III) chloride is not listed under Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC, but is usually classified as irritant, R36/37/38: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. It is listed in the inventory of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

References

  1. Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0080379419.
  2. Vaska, L.; & DiLuzio, J. W. (1961) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 83:2784. Girolami, G.S.; Rauchfuss, T.B.; Angelici, R.J. (1999). Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry (3rd Edn.). Sausalito:University Science Books.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Winkhaus, G.; & Singer, H. (1966). Iridium(I)-Olefinkomplexe. Chem. Ber. 99:361018.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Herde, J. L.; Lambert, J. C.; & Senoff, C. V. (1974). Cyclooctene and 1,5-Cyclooctadiene Complexes of Iridium(I). Inorg. Synth. 1974, volume 15, pages 1820. doi:10.1002/9780470132463.ch5.