Tungsten(IV) chloride, WCl4, is a black diamagnetic solid with a polymeric structure. It contains linear chains of
tungsten atoms each in octahedral geometry. Of the six chloride ligands linked to each W center, four are bridging
ligands. The W- W separations are alternatingly bonding (2.688 A ) and nonbonding (3.787 A ). WCl4 is typically produced by reducing WCl6. Many reductants have been reported, including red phosphorus, tungsten hexacarbonyl, gallium, tin, and antimony. The latter is reported to be optimal.
3WCl6+2Sb→3WCl4 +2SbCl3
