Rhodium(III) Chloride

Basic Information of Rhodium(III) Chloride

CAS No.	10049-07-7
EC No.	233-402-1
Chemical Formula	RhCl₃
Molecular Weight	209.26 g/mol
Appearance	Dark red to black crystalline powder
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	Decomposes before melting (>200 °C)
Boiling point	Not applicable (decomposes)
Density	approx. 3.0–3.2 g/cm³
Solubility	Insoluble in water (slowly hydrolyzes); soluble in hydrochloric acid, acetonitrile, DMF, DMSO (forms complexes)
Nature (hazards)	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause allergic skin reaction, harmful if swallowed, toxic to aquatic life
RIDADR	UN 3260, Corrosive solid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s. (Rhodium(III) chloride), Class 8, Packing Group III
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Rhodium(III) Chloride

Rhodium(III) Chloride serves as the key Rh precursor for generating active rhodium catalysts in selective transformations and advanced synthesis across industries.

1. Wilkinson's Catalyst Synthesis
   Acts as the primary rhodium source for preparing Wilkinson's catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃], the benchmark for selective homogeneous hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes in pharmaceutical production.

2. Hydroformylation Catalysis
   Used to synthesize rhodium-based hydroformylation catalysts for converting alkenes to aldehydes, a cornerstone process in oxo-alcohol and specialty chemical manufacturing.

3. Hydrosilylation & Isomerization
   Enables preparation of Rh catalysts for hydrosilylation of unsaturated bonds and alkene isomerization, offering excellent functional group tolerance and mild conditions.

4. C–H Activation & Functionalization
   Facilitates Rh-catalyzed direct C–H arylation, borylation, and annulation, providing atom-economical routes to functionalized molecules in drug discovery.

5. Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemical Synthesis
   Employed in key reduction, isomerization, and functionalization steps of active pharmaceutical ingredients, delivering scalability and high selectivity in GMP environments.

6. Advanced Materials & Electrocatalysis
   Supports preparation of Rh nanoparticles, thin films, or supported clusters for electrocatalytic applications in fuel cells and energy conversion technologies.

• High Rhodium Content Consistency
  Rigorous analytical controls guarantee accurate Rh assay, minimal impurities, and batch-to-batch reproducibility for dependable catalyst performance.

• Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
  Transparent, responsible rhodium procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing amid market fluctuations.

• Technical Catalysis Support
  Experienced specialists offer advice on complex formation, catalyst activation, reaction optimization, and scale-up tailored to your processes.

• Full Regulatory Compliance
  Comprehensive documentation including COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS to streamline global operations and audits.

• Sustainability & Recycling Programs
  Ethical sourcing practices and rhodium recovery/recycling programs aligned with ESG objectives and circular economy principles.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B); Serious Eye Damage (Category 1); Skin Sensitization (Category 1); Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Aquatic Chronic (Category 2)

• Hazard Statements: H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction; H302: Harmful if swallowed; H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

• UN Number: UN 3260

• Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)

• Packing Group: III