Indium(II) chloride

Indium(II) chloride is an inorganic compound, an indium metal salt and hydrochloric acid with the formula InCl2. 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 -> InCl2 + H2

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[InCl4].

Chemical properties
Indium(II) chloride reacts with water.


 * Water catalyzes a disproportionation reaction:
 * 3InCl2 -> 2InCl3 + In
 * 2InCl2 -> InCl3 + InCl

Indium(II) chloride reacts with oxygen in the air when heated:


 * 4InCl2 + O2 -> 2InOCl + 2InCl3