Indium(II) chloride
# Indium(II) chloride

Indium(II) chloride is an inorganic compound, an indium metal salt and hydrochloric acid with the formula $InCl_2.$ The compound forms colorless crystals, reacts with water. This is one of three known indium chlorides.

## Synthesis

Indium(II) chloride can be produced via the effect of dry hydrogen chloride on indium metal at 2000 °C:

       In + 2HCl → $InCl_2$ + $H_2$

## Physical properties

Indium(II) chloride forms colorless diffuse crystals of rhombic shape, lattice cell parameters a = 0.964 nm, b = 1.054 nm, c = 0.685 nm, Z = 8.

The molecules are dimers and have a structure $In[InCl_4].$

## Chemical properties

Indium(II) chloride reacts with water.

* Water catalyzes a disproportionation reaction:

       $3InCl_2$ → $2InCl_3$ + In
       $2InCl_2$ → $InCl_3$ + InCl

Indium(II) chloride reacts with oxygen in the air when heated:

       $4InCl_2$ + $O_2$ → 2InOCl + $2InCl_3$
