Hyperhalogens: Discovery of a New Class of Highly Electronegative Species

Hyper trumps super: A central atom, typically a metal, surrounded by halogen or oxygen atoms is called a superhalogen. Theoretical calculations and experiments reveal that a new class of highly electronegative species can be created when the central metal atom is surrounded by superhalogen moieties. These hyperhalogens can have electron affinities even larger than those of their superhalogen building blocks.