Plutonium trichloride

Plutonium(III) chloride
Names
IUPAC name
Plutonium(III) chloride
Other names
Plutonium trichloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/3ClH.Pu/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 checkY
    Key: CYMMZQWRMUVJRR-UHFFFAOYSA-K checkY
  • InChI=1S/3ClH.Pu/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3
    Key: CYMMZQWRMUVJRR-DFZHHIFOAR
  • Key: CYMMZQWRMUVJRR-UHFFFAOYSA-K
  • [Pu+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Properties
Cl3Pu
Molar mass 350.322 g/mol
Appearance Green solid
Density 5.71 g/cm3, solid[1]
Melting point 767 °C (1,413 °F; 1,040 K)[1]
Boiling point 1,767 °C (3,213 °F; 2,040 K)[1]
Related compounds
Other anions
 PuCl4, PuBr3, SmCl3
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Plutonium(III) chloride is a chemical compound with the formula PuCl3. This ionic plutonium salt can be prepared by reacting the metal with hydrochloric acid.

Structure

Plutonium atoms in crystalline PuCl3 are 9 coordinate, and the structure is tricapped trigonal prismatic. It crystallizes as the trihydrate, and forms lavender-blue solutions in water.[2]

Safety

See also: Dual fluid reactor

As with all plutonium compounds, it is subject to control under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Due to the radioactivity of plutonium, all of its compounds, PuCl3 included, are warm to the touch. Such contact is not recommended, since touching the material may result in serious injury.

References

  1. ^ a b c www.webelements.com: Plutonium(III) chloride.
  2. ^ John H. Burns, J. R. Peterson, J. N. Stevenson: "Crystallographic Studies of some Transuranic Trihalides: 239PuCl3, 244CmBr3, 249BkBr3 and 249CfBr3", Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry 1975, 37 (3), 743–749; doi:10.1016/0022-1902(75)80532-X.