Diboron tetrachloride

Updated on Dec 20, 2024

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Related compounds Diboron tetrafluoride Density 1.5 g/cm³		Molar mass 163.433 g/mol Appearance colorless liquid

Diboron tetrachloride is a chemical compound with the formula B₂Cl₄. It can be formed by the electrical discharge procedure of boron trichloride at low temperatures.

Synthesis

The electrical discharge procedure of boron trichloride can be divided into three steps:

BCl₃ → BCl₂ + ClCl + Hg(electrode) → HgCl or HgCl₂2BCl₂ → B₂Cl₄

The compound is used as a reagent for the synthesis of organoboron compounds. For instance, diboron tetrachloride reacts with ethylene:

CH₂=CH₂ + B₂Cl₄ → Cl₂BCH₂CH₂BCl₂

The compound absorbs hydrogen quickly at room temperature:

3 B₂Cl₄ + 6H₂ → 2 B₂H₆ + 4 BCl₃

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