Molybdenum(VI) chloride

Molybdenum(VI) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula MoCl6. 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:
 * MoF6 + 3 BCl3 → MoCl6 + 3 BF2Cl

It is unstable at room temperature with respect to molybdenum(V) chloride and decomposition completes within several days:
 * 2 MoCl6 → [MoCl5]2 + Cl2

The treatment of MoF6 with bismuth trichloride also produces MoCl6.