Opening the Third Century of Polyhalide Chemistry: Thermally Stable Complex with “Trapped” Dichlorine

Abstract

Unlike polyhalides of heavier halogens, polychlorides still remain exotic curiosities. Herein, we report preparation and investigation of complexes Cat₂ {[TeCl₆ ](Cl₂ )} (cat=1-methylpyridinium (1) and tetramethylammonium (2)) where dichlorine units are "trapped" by chlorotellurate(IV) anions via a system of non-covalent Cl⋅⋅⋅Cl interactions. Complex 2 reveals a record thermal stability (>100 °C) for inclusion compounds with Cl₂ , indications that such compounds can be used as solid Cl₂ source.