Reaction of tantalum with the halogens
Tantalum does react with the halogens upon warming to form tantalum(V) halides. So, tantalum reacts with fluorine, F2, chlorine, Cl2, bromine, I2, and iodine, I2, to form respectively tantalum(V) bromide, TaF5, tantalum(V) chloride, TaCl5, tantalum(V) bromide, TaBr5, and tantalum(V) iodide, TaI5.
2Ta(s) + 5F2(g) → TaF5(s) [white]
2Ta(s) + 5Cl2(g) → TaCl5(l) [white]
2Ta(s) + 5Br2(g) → TaBr5(s) [pale yellow]
2Ta(s) + 5I2(g) → TaI5(s) [black]