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Palladium catalysts

Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) , CAS 13820-53-6

Na2PdCl4MW 294.21 g/mol36.2% PdMade in Dublin, Ireland

Synonyms: Sodium palladium(II) chloride; Disodium tetrachloropalladate; Sodium chloropalladite; Palladium sodium chloride; Na2PdCl4

Also known as: Natriumtetrachloropalladat(II) (German); Tetracloropaladato(II) de sodio (Spanish); Tétrachloropalladate(II) de sodium (French); Tetracloropalladato(II) di sodio (Italian); Natriumtetrachloropalladaat(II) (Dutch)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS07
Harmful

Overview

The palladium salt to reach for when the palladium has to go into water: freely soluble, red-brown and ready for nanoparticle synthesis, supported catalysts, aqueous cross-coupling and electroless plating.

Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) is a red-brown, water-soluble palladium(II) salt, the usual choice when a palladium source must be dissolved directly in water or alcohol. It is used for the aqueous synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and colloids, for Pd/C and other supported catalysts, for electroless plating activation, for ligand-free and aqueous-phase cross-coupling, and as a precursor to palladium(II) complexes. Approximately 36% palladium by mass; each lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Application areas

Typical applications of sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii)

Sodium tetrachloropalladate is the standard aqueous palladium source. Reduced with sodium borohydride, ascorbic acid or citrate in the presence of PVP or other stabilisers it gives palladium nanoparticles and colloids; with added bromide and a slow reductant it gives shape-controlled nanocubes and nanowires. Adsorbed onto activated carbon, alumina or silica and reduced in situ, it gives palladium on carbon and other supported catalysts without the acid needed to dissolve palladium chloride.

In organic synthesis it is used for ligand-free and aqueous-phase Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck couplings (aryl iodides and bromides couple in water or aqueous ethanol with a carbonate base at room temperature to 80 °C), for the preparation of PdCl₂(ligand)₂ complexes directly from aqueous or alcoholic solution, and for palladium-catalysed bioconjugation chemistry where a water-soluble palladium precursor is essential.

Industrially it is the palladium component of ionic activator solutions for electroless copper and nickel plating on plastics and printed circuit boards, and of palladium electroless plating baths. In alternative-process photography, sodium tetrachloropalladate (sodium chloropalladite) with ferric oxalate is the sensitiser of palladium and platinum–palladium prints.

Specification

Product nameSodium tetrachloropalladate(II)
SynonymsSodium palladium(II) chloride; Disodium tetrachloropalladate; Sodium chloropalladite; Palladium sodium chloride; Na2PdCl4
Molecular formulaNa2PdCl4
CAS number13820-53-6
Molecular weight294.21 g/mol
MetalPalladium (Pd)
Metal content36.2% Pd by mass (nominal; lot assay on the CoA)
Purity / grade≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≈ 36%
AppearanceRed-brown to dark brown crystalline powder; hygroscopic
SolubilityVery soluble in water, giving a red-brown solution; soluble in methanol and ethanol; practically insoluble in diethyl ether and hydrocarbons. Dilute neutral solutions slowly hydrolyse; a little sodium chloride or hydrochloric acid keeps them stable.
Melting pointDecomposes on heating to palladium(II) chloride and sodium chloride, and ultimately to palladium.
HygroscopicityHygroscopic; the anhydrous salt takes up water to form the trihydrate.
HydrationSpecified as the anhydrous salt (294.21 g/mol, 36.2% Pd). Partially hydrated material has a lower palladium fraction (the trihydrate is 30.6% Pd), so use the palladium assay on the certificate of analysis for calculations.
StorageStore tightly closed in a dry place. Hygroscopic; protect from moisture and keep away from reducing agents.
Pack sizes1 g, 5 g, 25 g
Country of originIreland (manufactured in Dublin)

Solubility, melting point and density are literature values for the pure compound and are given for guidance; purity, palladium assay and appearance are measured on each lot and reported on its certificate of analysis.

Handling and storage

  • Harmful if swallowed (H302), causes serious eye damage (H318), skin irritation (H315) and may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317). Wear nitrile gloves and goggles and avoid raising dust.
  • Hygroscopic: store tightly closed in a dry place and return the container to a desiccator after use. Weigh quickly.
  • Prepare aqueous stocks in 0.01–0.1 M sodium chloride or dilute hydrochloric acid to prevent slow hydrolysis to hydrous palladium oxide; store in the dark.
  • Keep away from reducing agents outside the intended reaction. Palladium solutions stain skin and benches brown-black.
  • Not regulated as dangerous goods for transport: ships by standard courier.

Hazard classification (CLP / GHS)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS07
Harmful
Signal wordDanger
Hazard statements
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H318 Causes serious eye damage.
Precautionary statements
  • P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P301+P312 IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTRE or doctor if you feel unwell.
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P332+P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust.
  • P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P333+P313 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
TransportNot regulated for transport. Ships by standard courier.

Classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP). The safety data sheet issued with each lot is the authoritative source; where this page and the SDS differ, follow the SDS. For research and industrial use only. Not for human, veterinary, food or cosmetic use.

Documents

Safety data sheet (SDS)

The current SDS for Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) is supplied with every quotation and shipment. Request a copy.

Certificate of analysis (CoA)

Issued per lot with palladium assay. Enter the lot number from your label.

Find a CoA

Frequently asked questions

Sodium or potassium tetrachloropalladate: which should I use?

They deliver the same [PdCl₄]²⁻ ion. The sodium salt is far more soluble and is the choice for concentrated stocks, catalyst impregnation, plating activators and photographic sensitisers. The potassium salt is less soluble and crystallises well, so it is preferred for the synthesis of defined palladium complexes and for shape-controlled nanocrystals where published methods specify it. If a procedure names one, use that one.

How do I make a 0.1 M palladium stock solution?

Dissolve 2.942 g of sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) (294.21 g/mol) in about 80 mL of 0.1 M sodium chloride or 0.05 M hydrochloric acid and make up to 100.0 mL. Correct the mass for the palladium assay on the lot's certificate if the material has taken up water. The red-brown solution keeps for months in the dark in a closed glass bottle.

What solution is used for palladium printing?

The traditional palladium sensitiser is a 15% (w/v) solution of sodium tetrachloropalladate(II): about 9 g dissolved with 5 g of sodium chloride in 60 mL of water. It is mixed drop for drop with ferric oxalate solution, coated on paper, dried and exposed to ultraviolet light in contact with a negative, then developed in potassium oxalate or ammonium citrate and cleared in dilute acid. Our material is a pure, water-soluble grade suitable for this use.

What does 'about 36% palladium' mean in practice?

Anhydrous sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) is 36.2% palladium by mass. The salt is hygroscopic and a partly hydrated lot can assay as low as about 31% palladium without being impure in any other way, which is why we assay every lot by weight of palladium and print the result on the certificate of analysis. Use that figure for stoichiometry and loadings.

Ordering, shipping and documentation
What is the CAS number of sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii)?

Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) has CAS Registry Number 13820-53-6. Its formula is Na2PdCl4 (294.21 g/mol) and it contains about 36.2% palladium by mass.

How is sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii) priced?

Pack prices are linked to the live palladium spot price: palladium content × spot €/g, plus a fixed fee per pack for manufacture, packaging and the certificate of analysis. The price shown is indicative and confirmed on your quotation; it excludes VAT and shipping.

Is sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii) classed as dangerous goods for shipping?

No. Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) is not regulated for transport and ships by standard courier across Ireland and the EU.

Do you supply a certificate of analysis and SDS for sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii)?

Yes. Every lot ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis including palladium assay, and the current safety data sheet is available on this page and on request. Lot certificates can also be retrieved by lot number from our CoA lookup.

Where do you ship sodium tetrachloropalladate(ii)?

We ship from Dublin to Ireland (from €12.00) and to all EU member states (from €25.00), plus Northern Ireland. For research and industrial use only; business customers only.

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