Methods and systems for producing a metal chloride or the like

Systems and methods for producing metal chloride M^ICl_x from metal M^I without the use of HCl and/or Cl₂ gases, including: a bath vessel holding conductive fluid; an anode disposed in the conductive fluid, the anode including metal M.sup.I; a cathode assembly disposed in the conductive fluid, the cathode assembly including a cathode vessel including porous and non-porous portions, the non-porous portion holding sacrificial metal chloride M^IICl_y substantially separate from metal chloride M^ICl_x, wherein the cathode assembly includes a center lead disposed within the cathode vessel operable for delivering charge to sacrificial metal chloride M^IICl_y; and a power supply coupling the anode and the cathode assembly, the power supply polarized to produce current flow in a direction that causes anodic dissolution of metal M.sup.I into the conductive fluid and deposition of metal M.sup.II within the cathode vessel. The systems and methods apply equally to producing metal halide M^IX_x.