CAS 10026 11 6: Properties, Uses, and Safety Guide

Author: XMtongxue

Sep. 15, 2026

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Tags: Chemicals

CAS 10026 11 6: Properties, Uses, and Safety Guide

CAS 10026-11-6 identifies zirconium tetrachloride, also written as zirconium(IV) chloride or ZrCl4. I treat it as a moisture-sensitive inorganic chloride that requires controlled handling, dry packaging, and a documented quality specification. Its main commercial value is as a reactive zirconium source for producing other zirconium compounds, zirconium metal, catalysts, and selected thin-film or materials-processing precursors.

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The compound has the molecular formula ZrCl4 and a molecular weight of approximately 233.04 g/mol. It is generally supplied as a white to off-white crystalline or powder material, although appearance can change after exposure to humidity because zirconium tetrachloride hydrolyzes. For purchasing decisions, I recommend evaluating purity, moisture control, packaging integrity, analytical documentation, and the supplier’s ability to support the intended process.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is intended for chemical buyers, process engineers, laboratory managers, production planners, and technical teams sourcing CAS 10026-11-6. It is useful when the material will be used as a zirconium precursor rather than as a finished consumer product. It may also help procurement teams compare suppliers before requesting a quotation, sample, or technical data package.

I do not recommend using a general product description as a substitute for the current Safety Data Sheet, process hazard assessment, or applicable workplace regulations. The required grade and controls depend on whether the material is used in laboratory synthesis, industrial production, vapor-phase processing, or metal manufacturing. A supplier should confirm the specification against the buyer’s actual process conditions.

Basic Concept and Chemical Context

Zirconium tetrachloride is an inorganic compound in which zirconium is in the +4 oxidation state and is associated with four chloride ligands. The compound is valuable because it can transfer zirconium into downstream chemical systems, where it may be converted into oxides, organozirconium compounds, zirconium metal, or other zirconium salts.

Its most important practical characteristic is moisture sensitivity. Contact with water or humid air can cause hydrolysis, producing zirconium-containing hydrolysis products and hydrogen chloride; on a stoichiometric basis, one mole of ZrCl4 can generate up to four moles of HCl when fully hydrolyzed. This reaction explains why dry handling, sealed containers, and compatible equipment are central to safe use.

Properties and Material Options

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • CAS number: 10026-11-6
  • Common names: zirconium tetrachloride, zirconium(IV) chloride, zirconium chloride
  • Chemical formula: ZrCl4
  • Molecular weight: approximately 233.04 g/mol
  • Typical appearance: white or off-white crystalline solid or powder
  • Moisture behavior: hydrolyzes in the presence of water or humid air
  • Thermal behavior: commonly handled as a subliming or volatile inorganic chloride at elevated temperature rather than treated as a conventional low-volatility salt

Exact physical data can vary with measurement method, purity, particle form, and supplier specification. I advise buyers to request the technical data sheet for the specific grade rather than relying on a generic database value. In particular, moisture content, insoluble matter, trace metals, and particle-size distribution may be more important to process performance than appearance alone.

Grade and Packaging Considerations

Available material options may include laboratory, industrial, high-purity, and process-specific grades. These labels are not interchangeable: a high-purity requirement may control trace metals, while a production application may place greater emphasis on cost, lot consistency, packaging size, and supply continuity. Buyers should define the critical impurities before asking suppliers to recommend a grade.

Because ZrCl4 is moisture sensitive, packaging should provide a reliable moisture barrier and remain tightly closed during storage and internal transfer. Depending on quantity and risk assessment, suppliers may use sealed bottles, lined containers, or larger dry-pack formats. I recommend confirming whether the package is intended for single-use dispensing, repeated opening, or glovebox transfer.

Application Matching

Zirconium Chemical Manufacturing

One of the principal uses of CAS 10026-11-6 is as an intermediate or starting material for other zirconium compounds. It can be converted into zirconium oxychloride, zirconium oxide, zirconium alkoxides, and related materials through controlled chemical processing. The appropriate grade depends on the impurity limits of the downstream product and the purification steps available at the manufacturing site.

Zirconium Metal Production

Zirconium tetrachloride is also associated with zirconium metal production, including reduction processes such as the Kroll process. In this context, chloride purity, oxygen control, and process consistency can influence downstream metal quality. A buyer should not select material based solely on nominal assay; the specification should also address moisture, oxygen-related impurities, and trace elements relevant to the reduction process.

Catalysis and Materials Research

ZrCl4 can serve as a zirconium source in catalyst preparation, organometallic chemistry, and materials research. It may be used to create zirconium-containing catalysts or intermediates, but suitability depends on the reaction design and the tolerance of the system to chloride. Laboratory users should verify compatibility with solvents, reactors, transfer lines, and quenching procedures before scale-up.

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Thin Films and Advanced Materials

Research and industrial materials programs may investigate zirconium chloride as a precursor for zirconium-containing coatings or vapor-phase processes. However, precursor suitability depends on volatility, delivery temperature, reactor design, decomposition behavior, and film requirements. I recommend a technical review before treating a laboratory result as evidence of production-scale compatibility.

Buyer Selection Framework

Step 1: Define the Process Requirement

Start by documenting the intended use, annual volume, batch size, contact materials, process temperature, and acceptable impurity profile. State whether the material will be opened in ambient air, transferred in a glovebox, or fed through a dry process system. This information allows a supplier to recommend a realistic grade and packaging configuration.

Step 2: Specify Critical Quality Attributes

Typical quality attributes may include assay, moisture, insoluble residue, free chloride or hydrolysis-related impurities, trace metals, particle size, and appearance. Not every application needs the same limits, so I advise separating “critical” specifications from preferred but nonessential values. Requesting unnecessary limits can increase cost without improving process performance.

Step 3: Review Documentation

For each lot, buyers should consider requesting a Certificate of Analysis, current Safety Data Sheet, product specification, packing details, and recommended storage conditions. If the material will be used in a regulated or tightly controlled process, ask whether batch traceability and change-notification procedures are available. These documents support internal approval but do not replace the buyer’s own risk assessment.

Step 4: Confirm Supply Practicalities

Price is only one part of the sourcing decision. Confirm minimum order quantity, standard pack size, production lead time, sample availability, export documentation, shipping classification, and the supplier’s ability to maintain consistent specifications. A lower quoted price may not be advantageous if moisture damage, repacking, or repeated qualification creates additional cost.

Safety, Handling, and Storage

Zirconium tetrachloride should be handled as a moisture-sensitive and corrosive chemical. Water contact can release heat and hydrogen chloride, while dust or vapors generated during transfer may irritate or damage the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Personnel should follow the current SDS, use appropriate chemical-resistant gloves and eye or face protection, and work with suitable local exhaust or containment.

Storage should generally be dry, cool, tightly closed, and separated from water, humidity, and incompatible materials. The recommended storage temperature should be taken from the supplier’s SDS; as a practical purchasing specification, many facilities seek controlled room-temperature storage near 20–25 °C, provided the container remains sealed and the area is appropriate for corrosive moisture-sensitive chemicals. Do not assume that an unopened package is safe to use if it shows swelling, damage, leakage, or visible signs of hydrolysis.

When transferring the material, minimize container-open time and avoid ordinary wet tools or damp scoops. Use procedures designed for moisture-sensitive solids, and ensure that emergency response, spill control, and waste-quenching methods have been reviewed in advance. Any quench or disposal operation should be performed only under an approved procedure because hydrolysis may be exothermic and may release acidic fumes.

Common Sourcing Mistakes

  • Choosing a grade by assay alone while ignoring moisture or trace-metal limits.
  • Assuming all zirconium chloride products have identical particle size and handling behavior.
  • Opening large containers repeatedly in humid production areas.
  • Requesting a quotation without defining packaging, documentation, and delivery requirements.
  • Using generic handling assumptions instead of reviewing the current SDS and process-specific hazards.

How Azeal Materials Can Support Procurement

At Azeal Materials, I approach CAS 10026-11-6 sourcing as a specification-matching exercise rather than a simple price comparison. We can help buyers clarify the intended application, review purity and moisture requirements, discuss suitable packaging, and organize the documentation needed for internal evaluation. Where the application is sensitive to trace impurities or hydrolysis, the technical discussion should take place before commercial terms are finalized.

For an efficient inquiry, provide the required grade, target quantity, destination, preferred packaging, expected delivery schedule, and any limits for moisture or trace metals. If you are evaluating a new supplier, request a sample or trial quantity only after confirming the applicable safety and handling procedure. This approach helps reduce qualification delays and improves the chance of receiving a commercially useful quotation.

Key Takeaways

  • CAS 10026-11-6 is zirconium tetrachloride, ZrCl4, with a molecular weight of approximately 233.04 g/mol.
  • Its primary value is as a reactive zirconium source for zirconium chemicals, metal production, catalysts, and selected materials processes.
  • Moisture control is essential because hydrolysis can generate zirconium-containing products and hydrogen chloride.
  • Buyers should compare purity, moisture, trace impurities, packaging, documentation, MOQ, lead time, and technical support.
  • Safe use requires the current SDS, suitable containment, dry handling, compatible PPE, and an approved emergency and waste procedure.

Conclusion and Next Steps

CAS 10026-11-6 is zirconium tetrachloride, a moisture-sensitive inorganic precursor used across zirconium chemistry, metal production, catalysis, and advanced materials development. The best purchasing decision depends on matching the grade and packaging to the process, not simply selecting the highest stated assay. Before placing an order, define the impurity limits, moisture-control requirements, quantity, delivery schedule, and documentation needed for approval.

For a supplier evaluation, I recommend sending Azeal Materials your target specification and application details for review. We can then discuss available material options, packaging, technical documents, sample requirements, and a practical quotation for your project.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cas 10026 11 6. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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