Tungsten(II) chloride

Tungsten(II) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula W₆Cl₁₂. It is a polymeric cluster compound. The material dissolves in concentrated hydrochloric acid, forming (H₃O)₂[W₆Cl₁₄](H₂O)_x. Heating this salt gives yellow-brown W₆Cl₁₂. The structural chemistry resembles that observed for molybdenum(II) chloride.

Tungsten(II) chloride is prepared by reduction of the hexachloride. Bismuth is a typical reductant:

6 WCl₆ 8 Bi → W₆Cl₁₂ 8 BiCl₃

.

References