Tungsten(VI) oxytetrachloride

Tungsten oxytetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the formula. This diamagnetic solid is used to prepare other complexes of tungsten. The red-orange solid that is soluble in aromatic and chlorinated solvents. It reacts with alcohols and water.

Structure

The solid consists of weakly associated square pyramidal monomers. The compound is classified as an oxyhalide.

Synthesis and reactions

is prepared from tungsten trioxide or hexachloride:
It is "difficult to prepare by other means," but thionyl chloride also oxidizes tungsten(IV) oxide to the oxytetrachloride at 200 °C.
is a Lewis acid. It forms 1:1 adducts with Lewis bases such as acetonitrile and THF.
It is a precursor to catalysts used for polymerization of alkynes.