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.

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