Vanadium(V) chloride explained

Vanadium(V) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula VCl₅. It is a black diamagnetic solid. The molecules adopt a bioctahedral structure similar to that of niobium(V) chloride.^[1]

Preparation and reactions

Vanadium(V) chloride is prepared from the vanadium pentafluoride with excess boron trichloride:

2 VF₅ + 10 BCl₃ → [VCl₅]₂ + 10 BF₂Cl

It is unstable at room temperature with respect to vanadium(IV) chloride:

[VCl₅]₂ → 2 VCl₄ + Cl₂

In contrast, the heavier analogues NbCl₅ and TaCl₅ are stable and not particularly oxidizing.

References

1. Tamadon, Farhad . Seppelt, K. . The Elusive Halides VCl₅, MoCl₆, and ReCl₆. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2012. 52. 2. 767–769. 10.1002/anie.201207552. 23172658.