AbstractThe reactions of simple chlorine containing compounds of the general composition XCl are reviewed and discussed. The compounds included for review are ClF, RfOCl, SF5OCl, CF3OOCl, SF5OOCl, ClOSO2F, ClOClO3and ClONO2. It is concluded that most of the known reaction chemistry of electropositive chlorine compounds can be rationalized in terms of either addition of Cl‐X across multiple bonds or oxidative addition to atoms, such as iodine or sulfur in their lower oxidation states. The observed variety of final reaction products can be explained by a multitude of secondary reactions which can involve either eliminations, further additions or degradations. The observed reactions are easily moderated and controlled and only seldom is no reaction encountere