ClCl2

ClCl2, also known as dichlorine dichloride or chlorine(II) chloride, is a hypothetical chemical compound of chlorine. It is not a recognized stable compound under standard conditions and has not been experimentally confirmed. Theoretical studies suggest that ClCl2 would have a bent molecular geometry, similar to water or sulfur dioxide, with the central chlorine atom bonded to two other chlorine atoms.

The bonding in ClCl2 is expected to involve covalent bonds between the chlorine atoms. However, the high electronegativity of chlorine and the tendency for chlorine to form stable diatomic molecules (Cl2) make the existence of a species with a central chlorine atom bonded to two other chlorine atoms highly improbable under normal circumstances. The molecule would likely be extremely reactive and unstable, potentially decomposing rapidly into simpler chlorine species.

Research into unusual chlorine compounds often explores species with higher oxidation states or unconventional bonding arrangements. While ClCl2 remains theoretical, its exploration falls within the broader scientific interest in understanding the chemical behavior of halogens under extreme or exotic conditions. Any potential formation would likely require highly specialized laboratory environments and conditions far from those found in nature or typical chemical processes. Its existence is primarily a subject of theoretical chemistry rather than practical application.