title: Molybdenum(VI) chloride
text: # Molybdenum(VI) chloride
  
  Molybdenum(VI) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula $MoCl_6.$ It is a black diamagnetic solid. The molecules adopt an octahedral structure as seen in β-tungsten(VI) chloride.
  
  ## Preparation and reactions
  
  Molybdenum(VI) chloride is prepared from the molybdenum hexafluoride with excess boron trichloride:
  
      $MoF_6$ + 3 $BCl_3$ → $MoCl_6$ + 3 $BF_2Cl$
  
  It is unstable at room temperature with respect to molybdenum(V) chloride and decomposition completes within several days:
  
      2 $MoCl_6$ → $[MoCl_5]_2$ + $Cl_2$
  
  The treatment of $MoF_6$ with bismuth trichloride also produces $MoCl_6.$
  
  