Thorium trichloride is a binary inorganic compound of thorium metal and chlorine with the chemical formula ThCl3.[1][2][3]

Thorium trichloride
Names
IUPAC name
Trichlorothorium
Other names
Thorium(III) chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/3ClH.Th/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3
    Key: LQPUBIDKGBFLMP-UHFFFAOYSA-K
  • Cl[Th](Cl)Cl
Properties
Cl3Th
Molar mass 338.39 g·mol−1
Appearance crystals
Related compounds
Related compounds
Americium trichloride, uranium trichloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Synthesis

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The compound can be prepared by reducing thorium tetrachloride at 800°C:[4]

3Th + ThCl4 → 4ThCl3

Also a reaction of both elements:[5]

2Th + 3Cl2 → 2ThCl3

Other reactions are also known.[6]

Physical properties

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The compound forms crystals of the uranium trichloride crystal system.

Chemical properties

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Above 630 °C thorium trichloride dissociates into the dichloride and tetrachloride.

Uses

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Thorium trichloride is supposed[clarification needed] to be used in a dual fluid reactor as reactor fuel.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Lau, K. H.; Hildenbrand, D. L. (1990). "High-temperature equilibrium studies of the gaseous thorium chlorides". J. Chem. Phys. 92 (10): 6124. Bibcode:1990JChPh..92.6124L. doi:10.1063/1.458335. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ Buschbeck, Karl-Christian (1985). Gmelin Handbook of Inorganic Chemistry. Springer-Verlag. p. 34. ISBN 978-3-540-93515-5. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ Bagnall, Kenneth W.; Kanellakopulos, Basil (21 December 1984). Coordination Compounds. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 22. ISBN 978-3-540-93515-5. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ Annual Summary Research Report of Chemistry, Engineering, Metallurgy, Physics and Reactor Divisions. Ames Laboratoty. 1965. p. 1-9. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ^ Bulletin. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1962. p. 116. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ Reactor Fuel Processing. U.S. Argonne National Laboratory. 1961. p. 42. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  7. ^ "The Dual Fluid Reactor" (PDF). Institute for Solid-State Nuclear Physics gGmbH. Retrieved 5 April 2024.