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Vanadium(V) chloride

Vanadium(V) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula VCl<sub>5</sub>. It is a black diamagnetic solid. The molecules adopt a bioctahedral structure similar to that of niobium(V) chloride.

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:

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

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

References