Rhodium(III) chloride, anhydrous
CAS 10049-07-7
Anhydrous rhodium trichloride is the highest-assay rhodium chloride available at ≥49% Rh — a polymeric, water-insoluble solid used where maximum metal density per gram, indefinite shelf stability, or a chloride source for high-temperature and vapour-phase routes is required.
Typical specification
| Molecular formula | RhCl₃ |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 209.26 |
| Purity (metals basis) | ≥ 99.9% |
| Rhodium content | ≥ 49% |
| Appearance | Dark red to red-brown crystalline solid |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water and acids (polymeric form) |
| Base metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb) | ICP report per lot |
| Structure | Polymeric, non-hygroscopic |
| HS code (export) | 2843900099 |
Lot-specific COA issued with every shipment. SDS and ICP elemental impurity data available on request.
Where RhCl₃ (anhydrous) is used
High-metal-density rhodium feedstock
At roughly 49% rhodium — against 38–40% for the commercial hydrate — the anhydrous salt minimizes freight, storage volume and metal-accounting overhead per gram of contained Rh, which matters at rhodium's price level.
Vapour-phase and high-temperature chemistry
Used as a chloride source in CVD, sublimation and solid-state syntheses of rhodium films, alloys and mixed-metal oxides, where a defined anhydrous stoichiometry is essential and water of hydration would interfere.
Long-term rhodium inventory
Non-hygroscopic and indefinitely stable, the anhydrous form is the practical way to hold a rhodium position in chemical form without the assay drift that affects hydrated salts in storage.
Storage and shipping
Storage. Store sealed and dry. Unlike the hydrate, the anhydrous polymeric form is not hygroscopic and stores indefinitely.
Shipping. Ships in sealed glass or fluorinated bottles with SDS. Given rhodium's value, kilogram-scale shipments move via insured valuables logistics.
Packaging. 1 g · 5 g · 25 g · 100 g
Synonyms
- Rhodium trichloride anhydrous
- RhCl3 anhydrous
- Anhydrous rhodium chloride
- Rhodium(III) chloride, insoluble form
Frequently asked questions
Anhydrous or hydrate — which do I need?
This decides itself on solubility. Anhydrous RhCl₃ is insoluble in water and acids, so it suits solid-state, vapour-phase and inventory purposes. For catalyst synthesis, plating baths or any aqueous route, order the soluble hydrate (CAS 20765-98-4) instead — we stock both.
How is rhodium priced and how do you handle its volatility?
Rhodium is the most volatile-priced PGM, historically moving several percent in a day. Every quote states its fixing reference and validity window; we recommend locking the metal leg the day you confirm the order rather than the day you pay.
What documentation is included?
A lot-specific certificate of analysis with assayed rhodium content and appearance, plus an English SDS. ICP trace-metal panels are available on request.
Do you take back rhodium residues?
Yes — at rhodium's price level recovery is almost always worthwhile, even from dilute streams. Residues and spent material are assayed on receipt and credited at the agreed fixing against future supply.