The Elusive Halides VCl5, MoCl6, and ReCl6

摘要

It is common knowledge that fluorine can stabilize high oxidation states. Well-known examples include ReF7 and PtF6. Even more striking is the recent generation of HgF4 in a neon matrix at 4 K. Compounds such as AuF6, PdF5, and PdF6 could also exist under matrix-isolation conditions. In contrast, the realm of high-valent metal chlorides is not only smaller than that of fluorides, it is fraught with reports that are either incorrect or highly questionable. This is certainly the situation with the three chlorides addressed in this work, VCl5, MoCl6, and ReCl6.