Pentaamminechlororhodium dichloride

Pentamminechlororhodium dichloride is the dichloride salt of the coordination complex [RhCl(NH3)5](2+). It is a yellow, water-soluble solid. The salt is an intermediate in the purification of rhodium from its ores.

As shown by X-ray crystallography, the salt consists of the octahedral complex [RhCl(NH3)5](2+) and two chloride counterions. It forms from the reaction of rhodium trichloride and ammonia in ethanol. Two chloride anions are labile, whereas the coordinated chloride ligand is not.

Treatment of [RhCl(NH3)5]Cl2 with zinc dust in the presence of ammonia gives the hydride complex [RhH(NH3)5]2+.

Related compounds

 * Chloropentamminecobalt chloride