Opening the third century of polyhalide chemistry: thermally stable complex with "trapped" dichlorine.

Unlike polyhalides of heavier halogens, polychlorides still remain exotic curiosities. Herein, we report preparation and investigation of complexes Cat(2){[TeCl6](Cl-2)} (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. Complex2reveals a record thermal stability (>100 degrees C) for inclusion compounds with Cl-2, indications that such compounds can be used as solid Cl(2)source.