Platinum tetrachloride
[CAS# 13454-96-1]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Metal halides and halides >> Metal chlorides and salts
• Name: Platinum tetrachloride
• Synonyms: Platinum (IV) chloride
• Molecular Formula: PtCl₄
• Molecular Weight: 336.89
• CAS Registry Number: 13454-96-1
• EC Number: 236-645-1
• SMILES: Cl[Pt](Cl)(Cl)Cl

Properties

• Density: 4.303 g/mL (25 ºC) (Expl.)
• Melting point: 370 ºC (dec.) (Expl.)
• Water solubility: 587 g/L (25 ºC)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS06;GHS07;GHS08 DangerGHS05
• Hazard Statements: H290-H301-H314-H317-H318-H334
• Precautionary Statements: P233-P234-P260-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P280-P284-P301+P316-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P354+P338-P316-P317-P321-P330-P333+P317-P342+P316-P362+P364-P363-P390-P403-P405-P406-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1	H334
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1B	H314
Substances or mixtures corrosive to metals	Met. Corr.	1	H290
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315

• Transport Information: UN 2923

Discovory and Applicatios

Platinum tetrachloride is an inorganic compound with the formula PtCl₄. It consists of platinum in the +4 oxidation state coordinated to four chloride ligands. The compound typically appears as a dark brown to reddish-brown crystalline solid. It is an important platinum halide used as a precursor in platinum chemistry, particularly for the synthesis of various platinum complexes and catalysts.

Platinum tetrachloride can be prepared by the controlled chlorination of platinum metal or from the thermal decomposition of platinum(IV) chloride complexes. One common synthetic route involves reacting finely divided platinum metal with chlorine gas at elevated temperatures, leading to the formation of PtCl₄. Another method includes the thermal decomposition of hexachloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₆), where PtCl₄ emerges as an intermediate or product under certain conditions.

Structurally, platinum tetrachloride is generally considered to have a polymeric nature in the solid state, with platinum centers bridged by chloride ligands. Each platinum atom typically exhibits an octahedral coordination environment, although the exact structural details may depend on the phase and preparation method. In solution, the compound can dissociate or rearrange to form various platinum chloride species depending on solvent and conditions.

The chemistry of platinum tetrachloride is rich due to the +4 oxidation state of platinum, which is less common than the +2 state. PtCl₄ serves as a versatile precursor for synthesizing numerous platinum complexes. It reacts readily with ligands such as phosphines, amines, and olefins, allowing the preparation of complexes with tailored electronic and steric properties. These complexes are extensively studied for their catalytic, electronic, and medicinal properties.

One of the major applications of platinum tetrachloride lies in the field of catalysis. Complexes derived from PtCl₄ are used as catalysts in important industrial processes, including hydrogenation, hydroformylation, and carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions. Due to the high oxidation state and ability to coordinate various ligands, platinum tetrachloride-based catalysts often display high activity and selectivity.

In addition to catalysis, platinum tetrachloride is a valuable intermediate in the preparation of platinum-based anticancer drugs. Platinum(IV) complexes derived from PtCl₄ can act as prodrugs that undergo reduction in the biological environment to form active platinum(II) species, which interact with DNA to exert cytotoxic effects. This property has led to ongoing research into novel platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

Handling of platinum tetrachloride requires caution due to its toxicity and corrosiveness. The compound can cause skin and respiratory irritation, and exposure to dust or vapors should be minimized. It is typically handled under inert atmosphere or in well-ventilated fume hoods, using appropriate personal protective equipment.

The compound’s solubility varies with solvent; it is generally sparingly soluble in water but more soluble in polar organic solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. This solubility profile allows its use in homogeneous catalytic systems and in the synthesis of coordination complexes in solution.

Research continues to explore platinum tetrachloride's reactivity and applications, including its role in nanomaterial synthesis. PtCl₄ is used as a precursor for preparing platinum nanoparticles and films, which have applications in fuel cells, sensors, and electronic devices. The ability to control particle size and morphology by manipulating PtCl₄ reduction conditions is a focus of materials science studies.

In summary, platinum tetrachloride is a platinum(IV) halide compound of significant importance in coordination chemistry and catalysis. It is commonly prepared by chlorination of platinum metal or decomposition of chloroplatinic acid. PtCl₄ serves as a key precursor to various platinum complexes utilized in industrial catalysis and medicinal chemistry. Its properties, including high oxidation state and ligand coordination versatility, make it an essential compound for both fundamental research and practical applications in synthesis, catalysis, and nanotechnology. Proper safety measures are necessary due to its toxic and corrosive nature.

References

2024. Preparation of 3D Composite Nanomaterials Based on Opal Matrices by Reduction of Palladium and Platinum Compounds. Silicon, 16(15).
DOI: 10.1007/s12633-024-03039-z

2023. Synthesis of Reusable IrPt/Fe2O3 Nanocatalysts Using Antisolvent Crystallization-Based Method. Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 41(11).
DOI: 10.1007/s11814-024-00328-6

2023. Eco-friendly production of platinum nanoparticles: physicochemical properties, evaluation of biological and catalytic activities. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20(10).
DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-05232-w