Electronic states and rovibrational spectroscopy of the HAlF+ and HAlCl+ cations

► HAlF+ and HAlCl+ are investigated using an ab initio methodology. ► The low-lying electronic states are explored. ► CCSD(T)-F12 is used to generated the HAlF+ and HAlCl+ 3D PESs. ► The rovibrational spectroscopy of each species is studied. ► Similar Al-H bond is found in both ions.