Brown-black crystal needles; pure brown in transmitted light.
Decomposes on exposure to air and moisture (color change first to black,
then to white). Dissolves in a small amount of H2O and in dilute
hydrochloric acid, giving a dark-blue solution.
NIOBIUMCHLORIDE is used as reductively couples imines and nitriles.
Reduction of NbCl5 with H2
at 2 atm. (generated when the
tube is filled at STP, sealed and then heated). The reaction does
not go to completion and NbCl5 and NbCl4 must be separated by
sublimation.
NIOBIUMCHLORIDE is Purified by filter and wash with THF and dry under vacuum.
Niobiumchloride is corrosive; moisture sensitive. Use in a fume hood.
