Rhenium(VI) chloride

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.^[1]

Rhenium(VI) chloride

Names
Other names rhenium hexachloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	31234-26-1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	4321528
PubChem CID	5148054
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID601291531
InChI InChI=1S/6ClH.Re/h6*1H;/q;;;;;;+6/p-6 Key: GSGIQJBJGSKCDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-H
SMILES Cl[Re](Cl)(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	Cl6Re
Molar mass	398.91 g·mol−1
Appearance	black solid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation and reactions

Rhenium(VI) chloride was first generated as a mixture by chlorination of Re films.^[2] 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