ClI3

ClI3 is a hypothetical chemical compound, a trihalide of chlorine and iodine. While chlorine trifluoride (ClF3) is a well-known and highly reactive interhalogen compound, the existence and properties of chlorine triiodide (ClI3) are not experimentally confirmed and are largely theoretical. Based on the trends observed in interhalogen compounds, ClI3 would be expected to be a polar molecule with a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry, likely resulting in a T-shaped molecular geometry due to the presence of lone pairs on the central chlorine atom.

If ClI3 were to exist, it would likely be an unstable and highly reactive species. The bond strength between chlorine and iodine is weaker than that between chlorine and fluorine, suggesting that ClI3 would be more prone to decomposition. Potential decomposition products could include iodine, chlorine, and various mixed halogen species. Its reactivity would likely be driven by the electronegativity difference between chlorine and iodine, with chlorine acting as the more electrophilic atom. However, due to the steric bulk of iodine atoms and the potential for instability, the synthesis of ClI3 has not been reported, and its properties remain speculative within the realm of theoretical chemistry. Further research, likely computational, would be needed to better understand its potential existence and characteristics.