Tungsten(VI) oxytetrachloride, WOCl4, is a diamagnetic solid used to prepare other tungsten complexes. The orange-colored compound is soluble in nonpolar solvents, while it reacts with alcohols and water and forms adducts with Lewis bases.
Dark-red, acicular crystals. Decomposed
by water and moist air. Keep in sealed glass
container. Bp 227.5C, mp 211C, d 11.92. Soluble
in carbon disulfide.
It consists of weakly associated square pyramidal monomers.
WOCl4 is formed from WO3 or WCl6.
WO3 + 2SOCl2→WOCl4+2SO2
WCl6 + (Me3Si )2O→WOCl4+ 2Me3SiCl
