Systems and methods for producing metal chloride MIClx from metal MI 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 MI; 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 MIICly substantially separate from metal chloride MIClx, wherein the cathode assembly includes a center lead disposed within the cathode vessel operable for delivering charge to sacrificial metal chloride MIICly; 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 MI into the conductive fluid and deposition of metal MII within the cathode vessel. The systems and methods apply equally to producing metal halide MIXx.