title: Indium(II) chloride
text: # Indium(II) chloride
  
  Indium(II) chloride is an inorganic compound, an indium metal salt and hydrochloric acid with the formula $InCl_2.$ The compound forms colorless crystals, reacts with water. This is one of three known indium chlorides.
  
  ## Synthesis
  
  Indium(II) chloride can be produced via the effect of dry hydrogen chloride on indium metal at 2000 °C:
  
         In + 2HCl → $InCl_2$ + $H_2$
  
  ## Physical properties
  
  Indium(II) chloride forms colorless diffuse crystals of rhombic shape, lattice cell parameters a = 0.964 nm, b = 1.054 nm, c = 0.685 nm, Z = 8.
  
  The molecules are dimers and have a structure $In[InCl_4].$
  
  ## Chemical properties
  
  Indium(II) chloride reacts with water.
  
  * Water catalyzes a disproportionation reaction:
  
         $3InCl_2$ → $2InCl_3$ + In
         $2InCl_2$ → $InCl_3$ + InCl
  
  Indium(II) chloride reacts with oxygen in the air when heated:
  
         $4InCl_2$ + $O_2$ → 2InOCl + $2InCl_3$
  