Osmium(V) chloride

Osmium(V) chloride is an inorganic chemical compound of osmium metal and chlorine with the chemical formula OsCl5.

Potential synthesis
Osmium(V) chloride can be obtained in small amounts by reacting osmium hexafluoride with excess boron trichloride:


 * 2OsF6 + 4BCl3 -> 2OsCl5 + 4BF3 + Cl2

It can also be obtained by the action of sulfur dichloride on osmium tetroxide:


 * 2OsO4 + 8SCl2 + 5Cl2 -> 2OsCl5 + 8SOCl2

Physical properties
Osmium(V) chloride forms a black dimeric solid, isomorphic with rhenium(V) chloride. OsCl5 is sparingly soluble in non-polar solvents. It is soluble in POCl3 to form a red-brown solution, which can crystallize OsCl5·POCl3.