Chemistry:Vanadium tetrachloride

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Short description: Chemical reagent used to produce other vanadium compounds
Vanadium tetrachloride
Structural formula of the vanadium tetrachloride molecule
3D model of the vanadium tetrachloride molecule
Names
IUPAC names
Vanadium tetrachloride
Vanadium(IV) chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 231-561-1
RTECS number
  • YW2625000
UNII
Properties
VCl4
Molar mass 192.75 g/mol
Appearance bright red liquid, moisture sensitive
Odor pungent
Density 1.816 g/cm3, liquid
Melting point −24.5 °C (−12.1 °F; 248.7 K)
Boiling point 148 °C (298 °F; 421 K)
decomposes
Solubility soluble in CH2Cl2
Vapor pressure 7.9 Pa
+1130.0·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
tetrahedral
0 D
Hazards
Main hazards toxic; oxidizer; hydrolyzes to release HCl
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Flammability code 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterHealth code 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasReactivity code 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acidNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
0
3
2
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
160 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Other anions
vanadium tetrafluoride, vanadium disulfide, vanadium tetrabromide
Other cations
titanium tetrachloride, chromium tetrachloride, niobium tetrachloride, tantalum tetrachloride
Related compounds
vanadium trichloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Vanadium tetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the formula VCl4. This reddish-brown liquid serves as a useful reagent for the preparation of other vanadium compounds.

Synthesis, bonding, basic properties

With one more valence electron than diamagnetic TiCl4, VCl4 is a paramagnetic liquid. It is one of only a few paramagnetic compounds that is liquid at room temperature.

VCl4 is prepared by chlorination of vanadium metal. VCl5 does not form in this reaction; Cl2 lacks the oxidizing power to attack VCl4. VCl5 can however be prepared indirectly from VF5 at −78 °C.[1]

Reactions

Consistent with its high oxidizing power, VCl4 reacts with HBr at -50 °C to produce VBr3. The reaction proceeds via VBr4, which releases Br2 during warming to room temperature.[2]

2 VCl4 + 8 HBr → 2 VBr3 + 8 HCl + Br2

VCl4 forms adducts with many donor ligands, for example, VCl4(THF)2.

It is the precursor to vanadocene dichloride.

Organic chemistry

In organic synthesis, VCl4 is used for the oxidative coupling of phenols. For example, it converts phenol into a mixture of 4,4'-, 2,4'-, and 2,2'-biphenols:[3]

2 C6H5OH + 2 VCl4 → HOC6H4–C6H4OH + 2 VCl3 + 2 HCl

Applications

VCl4 is a catalyst for the polymerization of alkenes, especially those useful in the rubber industry. The underlying technology is related to Ziegler–Natta catalysis, which involves the intermediacy of vanadium alkyls.

Safety considerations

VCl4 is a volatile, aggressive oxidant that readily hydrolyzes to release HCl.

References

  1. Tamadon, Farhad; Seppelt, Konrad (2013). "The Elusive Halides VCl5, MoCl6, and ReCl6". Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52 (2): 767–769. doi:10.1002/anie.201207552. PMID 23172658. 
  2. Calderazzo, F.; Maichle-Mössmer, C.; G., Pampaloni; J., Strähle (1993). "Low-temperature Syntheses of Vanadium(III) and Molybdenum(IV) Bromides by Halide Exchange". Dalton Transactions (5): 655–8. doi:10.1039/DT9930000655. 
  3. O’Brien, M. K.; Vanasse, B. (2001). "Vanadium(IV) Chloride". in Paquette, L.. Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. New York, NY: J. Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rv001. ISBN 0471936235.