Ruthenium chloride (RuCl₃)

Description

1. Product Overview

Ruthenium chloride (RuCl₃) is a high-purity transition metal halide and a critical precursor compound for ruthenium-based catalysis and advanced material synthesis. Its primary industrial use lies in the manufacture of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation, metathesis, and ammonia decomposition, as well as in the production of ruthenium films for electronic components. The key value proposition is its exceptional catalytic activity and stability under demanding chemical conditions, enabling higher reaction yields and lower noble metal loading. Strategically, RuCl₃ is indispensable for industries driving decarbonization (green hydrogen), specialty chemicals, and semiconductor miniaturization, making it a gatekeeping material for next-generation process technologies.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Ruthenium(III) chloride, anhydrous (RuCl₃) – typically supplied as a hygroscopic solid; hydrated forms (RuCl₃·xH₂O) available upon request

• Purity level: Standard industrial grade ≥99.9% (Ru basis); High-purity grade ≥99.99% (trace metal analysis by ICP-MS)

• Physical characteristics:

  • Appearance: Dark brown to black crystalline powder or granular solid

  • Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohols, and acetone; readily forms chloro-complexes

  • Density: ~3.11 g/cm³ (anhydrous)

  • Particle size: 100–500 µm (custom milling available down to <50 µm)

• Packaging options:

  • 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg sealed aluminum-lined bags with desiccant

  • 50 kg steel drums with inert gas purge

  • 250 kg UN-certified fiber drums for bulk industrial users

• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in original sealed packaging under dry, inert atmosphere (≤25°C, <30% relative humidity)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Specialty chemicals manufacturing, pharmaceuticals (API synthesis), green hydrogen (ammonia cracking catalysts), electronics (resistive films, anodes), and petrochemical refining.

• Specific operational use cases:

  • Olefin metathesis: RuCl₃ as a precursor to Grubbs-type catalysts – delivers 30% higher turnover frequency compared to alternative ruthenium salts.

  • Chlor-alkali electrolysis: Coating for dimensionally stable anodes (DSA) – extends electrode lifetime by 2× versus iridium-based coatings.

  • Ammonia decomposition for H₂ generation: RuCl₃-derived catalysts achieve >95% conversion at 450°C, outperforming nickel catalysts by >40% at same metal loading.

  • Electronic thin films: Thermal decomposition for ruthenium seed layers in copper interconnects – enables defect-free deposition down to 3 nm node.

• Performance advantage: Lower activation energy in catalytic cycles reduces energy consumption by 15–25% per batch, and lower noble metal leaching cuts replacement frequency by 30% compared to ruthenium dioxide or ruthenium nitrosyl nitrate.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Batch-to-batch variability <0.5% (relative standard deviation) via ISO 9001:2025-certified process control and SPC monitoring; each lot ships with Certificate of Analysis (CoA) including ICP-OES, XRD, and loss-on-drying data.

• Supply reliability: Dedicated production lines with 12-month rolling forecast commitment; safety stock equivalent to 90 days of average demand held in regional hubs (Americas, EMEA, Asia-Pacific).

• Logistics capability: Temperature-controlled, desiccated container shipping; EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP incoterms available; average lead time 14 days for standard grades.

• Price competitiveness: Direct long-term mining agreements for ruthenium from PGM refineries in South Africa and Russia, passing through 8–12% total cost savings versus spot-market suppliers for ≥500 kg annual contracts.

• Sustainability: 100% of ruthenium sourced from audited, conflict-free, low-carbon mines (Scope 3 data available); process waste recycling program recovers >90% of ruthenium from production residues.

• Technical support: Dedicated application engineering team provides catalyst synthesis protocols, impurity troubleshooting, and reactor compatibility guidance within 48 hours.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 1 kg for standard grade (≥99.9%); 5 kg for high-purity grade (≥99.99%)

• Bulk loading capacity: 20 MT per 20-ft dry container (net weight) – equivalent to 80 standard 250 kg drums

• Pricing: Available upon RFQ based on annual volume, purity grade, and delivery terms. Volume discounts begin at 50 kg/month.