Tantalum(V) chloride

Tantalum(V) chloride, also known as tantalum pentachloride, is an inorganic compound with the formula TaCl₅. It takes the form of a white powder and is commonly used as a starting material in tantalum chemistry. It readily hydrolyzes to form tantalum(V) oxychloride (TaOCl₃) and eventually tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅); this requires that it be synthesised and manipulated under anhydrous conditions, using air-free techniques.