Vanadium(V) chloride

Vanadium(V) chloride
Names
	Other names vanadium pentachloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	1421358-80-6;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; dimer: Interactive image;
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PubChem CID	13643901;
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	InChI InChI=1S/5ClH.V/h5*1H;/q;;;;;+5/p-5 Key: RPESBQCJGHJMTK-UHFFFAOYSA-I;
	SMILES Cl[V](Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl; dimer: Cl[V-]1(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)[Cl+][V-]([Cl+]1)(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl;
Properties
Chemical formula	Cl10V2
Molar mass	456.38 g·mol−1
Appearance	black solid
Density	2.69 g/cm3
Melting point	−10 °C (14 °F; 263 K) (decomposes)
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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

Chlorine cannot oxidise vanadium(IV); chlorination of vanadium metal will yield only vanadium(IV) chloride. Vanadium(V) chloride is instead prepared from vanadium pentafluoride with excess boron trichloride as a chlorinating agent:

2 VF₅ + 10 BCl₃ → [VCl₅]₂ + 10 BF₂Cl

It is unstable at room temperature, releasing gaseous chlorine and giving vanadium(IV) chloride:

[VCl₅]₂ → 2 VCl₄ + Cl₂

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

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