Rhenium(VI) chloride
{{Chembox
| ImageFile = ReCl6.png
| ImageSize = 128
| ImageAlt =
| IUPACName =
| OtherNames = rhenium hexachloride
|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 31234-26-1
| PubChem = 5148054
| ChemSpiderID = 4321528
| SMILES = Cl[Re](Cl)(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl
| StdInChI=1S/6ClH.Re/h6*1H;/q;;;;;;+6/p-6
| StdInChIKey=GSGIQJBJGSKCDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-H
}}
|Section2={{Chembox Properties
| Cl=6|Re=1
| MolarMass =
| Appearance = black solid
| Density =
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| BoilingPt =
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|Section3={{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards =
| FlashPt =
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Rhenium(VI) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula ReCl6. It is a black paramagnetic solid. The molecules adopt an octahedral structure as seen in tungsten(VI) chloride.{{cite journal|author1=Tamadon, Farhad |author2=Seppelt, K. |title=The Elusive Halides VCl5, MoCl6, and ReCl6|journal=Angewandte Chemie International Edition|year=2012|volume=52|issue=2|pages=767–769|doi=10.1002/anie.201207552|pmid=23172658}}
Preparation and reactions
Rhenium(VI) chloride was first generated as a mixture by chlorination of Re films.{{cite journal |doi=10.1038/194374a0|title=Rhenium Hexachloride|year=1962|last1=Colton|first1=R.|journal=Nature|volume=194|issue=4826|pages=374–375|bibcode=1962Natur.194..374C|s2cid=4166446}} Bulk samples can be prepared by combining rhenium hexafluoride with excess boron trichloride:
:2 ReF6 + 6 BCl3 → ReCl6 + 6 BF2Cl
It is unstable at room temperature with respect to rhenium(V) chloride:
:2 ReCl6 → [ReCl5]2 + Cl2