A colourless fuming liquid, SnCl₄, hydrolysed in cold water, decomposed by hot water, and soluble in ethers; r.d. 2.226; m.p. –33°C; b.p. 114°C. Tin(IV) chloride is a covalent compound, which may be prepared directly from the elements. It dissolves sulphur, phosphorus, bromine, and iodine, and there is evidence for the presence of species such as SnCl₂I₂. In hydrochloric acid and in chloride solutions the coordination is extended from four to six by the formation of the SnCl₆²⁻ ion.