Crystal and molecular structure of molybdenum(V) oxide trichloride

Abstract

Crystals of molybdenum(V) oxide trichloride are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with Z= 4 in a unit cell of dimensions a= 5·729, b= 13·340, c= 6·029 Å, β= 93·79°. The intensities of 248 reflections have been collected by counter methods and refined to a R 0·106. The structure consists of polymeric chains of formula [MoOCl₃]_n. Each molybdenum atom is six-co-ordinate and has a distorted octahedral environment. It is bonded to one terminal oxygen and one terminal chlorine, which are mutually cis, and also to four chlorine atoms which bridge to the two adjacent molybdenum atoms. The Mo–Cl distances range between 2·26 (molybdenum–terminal chlorine) to 2·78 Å(molybdenum–chlorine, trans to the terminal oxygen). The Mo–O distance is 1·63 Å.