Tungsten hexacarbonyl
chemical compound
Tungsten hexacarbonyl (also called tungsten carbonyl) is an organometallic compound with the formula W(CO)6. This complex gave rise to the first example of a dihydrogen complex.
Like its chromium and molybdenum analogs, this colorless compound is noteworthy as a volatile, air-stable derivative of tungsten in its zero oxidation state.
Preparation, properties, and structure
Like many metal carbonyls, W(CO)6 is generally prepared by "reductive carbonylation", which involves the reduction of a metal halide with under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. As described in a 2023 survey of methods "most cost-effective routes for the synthesis of group 6 hexacarbonyls are based on the reduction of the metal chlorides (CrCl3, MoCl5 or WCl6) with magnesium, zinc or aluminium powders... under CO pressures". Another means of preparation involves heating iron pentacarbonyl and WCl6, resulting in the formation of ferrous chloride. The compound is relatively air-stable. It is sparingly soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. Tungsten carbonyl is widely used in electron beam-induced deposition technique - it is easily vaporized and decomposed by the electron beam providing a convenient source of tungsten atoms.
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