General Description
White or yellow silky odorless crystals.
Reactivity Profile
Acidic salts, such as ZIRCONIUM OXYCHLORIDE(7699-43-6), are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and have pH's of less than 7.0. They react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. Many of these compounds catalyze organic reactions.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble. Forms corrosive acidic solutions.
Health Hazard
Has only a mild pharmacological action. Inhalation of dust may irritate nose and throat. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.
Chemical Properties
Zirconium oxychloride exists as white silky crystals, soluble
in water and alcohol. With water, the octahydrate is formed
as tetragonal white needles. It is extremely hygroscopic
and decomposes to zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl4) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) at 250 C. It is also formed as the
octahydrate [13520-92-8] as white, tetrahedral crystals that
are very soluble in water, ethyl alcohol, ether, and methanol,
among others, but only slightly soluble in hydrochloric acid.
When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of
hydrogen chloride.
Definition
ChEBI: Zirconyl chloride is a zirconium coordination entity consisting of zirconium(IV) bound to oxygen via a double bond and to two chlorines.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Purification Methods
Crystallise it repeatedly from 8M HCl to give ZrOCl2.8H2O (see below). On drying, ZrOCl2.6H2O, m 150o, is formed. The product is not free from hafnium. [Blumenthal J Chem Ed 39 607 1962.]
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