Ruthenium(III) Chloride

Basic Information of Ruthenium(III) Chloride

CAS No.	10049-08-8
EC No.	233-167-5
Chemical Formula	RuCl₃
Molecular Weight	207.43 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. 3.11 g/cm³
Solubility	Highly soluble in water (hydrolyzes); soluble in alcohols, acetone, ethyl acetate
Nature (hazards)	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause allergic skin reaction, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, toxic to aquatic life
RIDADR	UN 3260, Corrosive solid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s. (Ruthenium(III) chloride), Class 8, Packing Group III
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Ruthenium(III) Chloride

Ruthenium(III) Chloride serves as a versatile Ru precursor for generating highly active ruthenium catalysts in selective transformations and advanced synthesis.

1. Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Preparation
   Acts as the primary ruthenium source for synthesizing Grubbs-type catalysts (1st, 2nd generation) and Hoveyda-Grubbs catalysts, enabling efficient ring-closing, cross, and ring-opening metathesis in pharmaceutical and polymer chemistry.

2. Hydrogenation & Transfer Hydrogenation
   Used to prepare homogeneous or supported Ru catalysts for selective reduction of carbonyls, imines, and alkenes, offering excellent enantioselectivity in asymmetric hydrogenation processes.

3. C–H Activation & Functionalization
   Facilitates Ru-catalyzed direct C–H arylation, alkenylation, and annulation of arenes and heterocycles, providing atom-economical routes to complex molecules.

4. Oxidation & Dehydrogenation Reactions
   Serves as precursor for Ru catalysts in alcohol oxidation, alkane dehydrogenation, and oxidative coupling, delivering high selectivity under mild conditions.

5. Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemical Synthesis
   Employed in key steps of API manufacturing, including metathesis and hydrogenation, offering scalability and functional group compatibility in GMP environments.

6. Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology
   Enables preparation of Ru nanoparticles, thin films, or supported clusters for electrocatalysis, fuel cells, and functional materials research.

• Consistent Ruthenium Content & Purity
  Precise analytical verification ensures uniform Ru content, low residual impurities, and batch reproducibility for reliable catalyst preparation and performance.

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

• Technical Catalysis Support
  Experienced specialists offer guidance on complex formation, catalyst activation, reaction optimization, and scale-up for maximum efficiency.

• Full Regulatory Compliance
  Comprehensive COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS documentation to facilitate seamless integration into global operations and audits.

• Sustainability & Recycling Commitment
  Ethical sourcing practices and ruthenium 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