Thorium trichloride

Names
IUPAC name Trichlorothorium
Other names Thorium(III) chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	15123-26-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	123372
PubChem CID	139894 (charge error)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90164741
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.Th/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: LQPUBIDKGBFLMP-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES Cl[Th](Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	Cl3Th
Molar mass	338.39 g·mol−1
Appearance	crystals
Related compounds
Related compounds	Americium trichloride, uranium trichloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Thorium trichloride is a binary inorganic compound of thorium metal and chlorine with the chemical formula ThCl₃.^[1][2][3]

Synthesis

The compound can be prepared by reducing thorium tetrachloride at 800 °C:^[4]

3Th + ThCl₄ → 4ThCl₃

Also a reaction of both elements:^[5]

2Th + 3Cl₂ → 2ThCl₃

Other reactions are also known.^[6]

Physical properties

The compound forms crystals of the uranium trichloride crystal system.

Chemical properties

Above 630 °C thorium trichloride dissociates into the dichloride and tetrachloride.

Uses

Thorium trichloride is supposed^{[clarification needed]} to be used in a dual fluid reactor as reactor fuel.^[7]

References