Hexaamminenickel chloride is the chemical compound with the formula [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2. It is the chloride salt of the metal ammine complex [Ni(NH3)6]2+. The cation features six ammonia (called ammines in coordination chemistry) ligands attached to the nickel(II) ion.
Properties and structure [Ni(NH3)6]2+, like all octahedral nickel(II) complexes, is paramagnetic with two unpaired electrons localized on each Ni center. [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2 is prepared by treating aqueous nickel(II) chloride with ammonia. It is useful as a molecular source of anhydrous nickel(II).G. S. Girolami, T. B. Rauchfuss, and R. J. Angelici (1999) Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry, University Science Books: Mill Valley, CA.
Related compounds One commercial method for extraction of nickel from its sulfide ores involves the sulfate salt of [Ni(NH3)6]2+. In this process, the partially purified ore is treated with air and ammonia as described with this simplified equation:
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