The infrared and Raman spectra of chloryl hexafluoroarsenate have been obtained. The observed vibrations have been interpreted in terms of an ionic compound ClO2+AsF6−, where strong cation–anion interaction results in a symmetry lowering of the AsF6− ion. The compound together with chloryl fluoride produces the chloronium cation ClO2+(solv) in solution of fluorosulfuric acid. The solvolysis of FClO2 is studied by conductometry and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) in order to elucidate the observed anion–cation interaction for ClO2AsF6 more fully. 19F n.m.r. studies of FClO2 and related molecules have been used to discuss the bonding in chloronium compounds.