Recent theoretical predictions of “unprecedented proximity” of the electronic ground state of iridium fluorides to the SU(2) symmetric $j_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ limit, relevant for superconductivity in iridates, motivated us to investigate their crystal and electronic structure. To this aim, we performed high-resolution x-ray powder diffraction, Ir ${\mathrm{L}}_3$-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, and quantum chemical calculations on ${\mathrm{Rb}}_2\left[{\mathrm{IrF}}_6\right]$ and other iridium fluorides. Our results are consistent with the Mott insulating scenario predicted by Birol and Haule [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 096403 (2015)], but we observe a sizable deviation of the $j_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ state from the SU(2) symmetric limit. Interactions beyond the first coordination shell of iridium are negligible, hence the iridium fluorides do not show any magnetic ordering down to at least 20 K. A larger spin-orbit coupling in iridium fluorides compared to oxides is ascribed to a reduction of the degree of covalency, with consequences on the possibility to realize spin-orbit-induced strongly correlated physics in iridium fluorides.

The properties of supported bimetallic Rh-Co/ZrO2catalysts in ethanol steam reforming into hydrogen-containing gas were studied. The particles of Rh-Co solid solutions on the catalyst surface were...