Cadmium(I) tetrachloroaluminate
Encyclopedia
Cadmium tetrachloroaluminate is the inorganic compound
with the formula Cd2(AlCl4)2, a tetrachloroaluminate
of cadmium(I)
. It was the first compound reported (1961) that contained cadmium in the +1 oxidation state. Subsequent studies of the Raman
vibrational spectrum indicated the presence of a cadmium–cadmium bond, which was confirmed by two separate X-Ray diffraction studies of single crystals. The compound can therefore be compared to mercury(I) (mercurous) compounds (such as mercury(I) chloride
), that contain Hg22+.
followed by the addition of AlCl3.
Cd2(AlCl4)2 is diamagnetic. It contains no unpaired electrons and reacts readily with water disproportionating to give Cd metal and Cd2+.
It has a complex structure that contains ethane
-like Cd2Cl6 units sharing vertices with AlCl4 units, with a Cd–Cd bond length reported as 257.6 pm or 256.1pm.
Inorganic compound
Inorganic compounds have traditionally been considered to be of inanimate, non-biological origin. In contrast, organic compounds have an explicit biological origin. However, over the past century, the classification of inorganic vs organic compounds has become less important to scientists,...
with the formula Cd2(AlCl4)2, a tetrachloroaluminate
Tetrachloroaluminate
Tetrachloroaluminate [AlCl4]− is an anion formed from aluminium and chlorine. The anion has a tetrahedral shape, similar to carbon tetrachloride where carbon is replaced with aluminium. Some tetrachloroaluminates are soluble in organic solvents, creating an ionic non-aqueous solution, making...
of cadmium(I)
Cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low...
. It was the first compound reported (1961) that contained cadmium in the +1 oxidation state. Subsequent studies of the Raman
Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic technique used to study vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes in a system.It relies on inelastic scattering, or Raman scattering, of monochromatic light, usually from a laser in the visible, near infrared, or near ultraviolet range...
vibrational spectrum indicated the presence of a cadmium–cadmium bond, which was confirmed by two separate X-Ray diffraction studies of single crystals. The compound can therefore be compared to mercury(I) (mercurous) compounds (such as mercury(I) chloride
Mercury(I) chloride
Mercury chloride is the chemical compound with the formula Hg2Cl2. Also known as calomel or mercurous chloride, this dense white or yellowish-white, odorless solid is the principal example of a mercury compound...
), that contain Hg22+.
Preparation and properties
Cd2(AlCl4)2 was originally prepared by dissolving Cd metal in molten CdCl2Cadmium chloride
Cadmium chloride is a white crystalline compound of cadmium and chlorine, with the formula CdCl2. It is a hygroscopic solid that is highly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. Although it is considered to be ionic, it has considerable covalent character to its bonding...
followed by the addition of AlCl3.
- CdCl2 + Cd → Cd2Cl2
- Cd2Cl2 + 2 AlCl3 → Cd2(AlCl4)2
Cd2(AlCl4)2 is diamagnetic. It contains no unpaired electrons and reacts readily with water disproportionating to give Cd metal and Cd2+.
It has a complex structure that contains ethane
Ethane
Ethane is a chemical compound with chemical formula C2H6. It is the only two-carbon alkane that is an aliphatic hydrocarbon. At standard temperature and pressure, ethane is a colorless, odorless gas....
-like Cd2Cl6 units sharing vertices with AlCl4 units, with a Cd–Cd bond length reported as 257.6 pm or 256.1pm.