Formula RhF6 Boiling point 73.5 °C | Molar mass 216.91 g/mol Appearance black crystalline solid | |
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Rhodium hexafluoride, also rhodium(VI) fluoride, (RhF6) is the inorganic compound of rhodium and fluorine. A black volatile solid, it is a highly reactive material, and a rare example of a rhodium(VI) compound.
Synthesis, structure, properties
Rhodium hexafluoride is prepared by reaction of rhodium metal with an excess of elemental fluorine:
Rh + 3 F2 → RhF6The RhF6 molecule has octahedral molecular geometry. Consistent with its d3 configuration, the six Rh–F bond lengths are equivalent, being 1.824 Å. 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.
Like some other metal fluorides, RhF6 is highly oxidising. It attacks even glass even in the absence of water. It can even react with elemental oxygen.
References
Rhodium hexafluoride Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA