Rhodium hexafluoride

Chemical compound with formula RhF6 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rhodium hexafluoride, also rhodium(VI) fluoride, (RhF6) is the inorganic compound of rhodium and fluorine. A black volatile solid,[1] it is a highly reactive material which starts to slowly thermally decompose already at room temperature and a rare example of a rhodium(VI) compound. It is one of seventeen known binary hexafluorides.

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Rhodium hexafluoride
Names
IUPAC name
rhodium(VI) fluoride
Other names
rhodium hexafluoride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • Key: PDNXMXVYNVZBTD-UHFFFAOYSA-H
  • InChI=1/6FH.2Rh/h6*1H;;/q;;;;;;+6/p-6
  • F[Rh](F)(F)(F)(F)F
Properties
F6Rh
Molar mass 216.91 g/mol
Appearance black crystalline solid[1]
Density 3.71g/mL[2]
Melting point 70 °C (158 °F; 343 K)[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Structure

The RhF6 molecule has octahedral molecular geometry. Consistent with its d3 configuration, the six Rh–F bond lengths are equivalent, being 1.824 Å.[2] It crystallises in an orthorhombic space group Pnma with lattice parameters of a = 9.323 Å, b = 8.474 Å, and c = 4.910 Å.

Discovery and synthesis

Rhodium hexafluoride was discovered by American radiochemists in 1961, soon after the discovery of ruthenium hexafluoride.[3] It is prepared by reaction of rhodium metal with an excess of elemental fluorine:[4]

Rh + 3 F2 → RhF6

Reactions

Like some other metal fluorides, RhF6 is highly oxidizing. It attacks glass,[4] and can even react with elemental oxygen.[5]

References

Further reading

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