Vanadium compounds

Article summary

[[File:Vanadiumoxidationstates.jpg|thumb|right|upright|From left: [V(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ (lilac), [V(H 2 O) 6 ] 3+ (green), [VO(H 2 O) 5 ] 2+ (blue) and [VO(H 2 O) 5 ] 3+ (yellow). Vanadium compounds are compounds formed by the element vanadium (V). The chemistry of vanadium is noteworthy for the accessibility of the four adjacent oxidation states 2–5, whereas the chemistry of the other group 5 elements, niobium and tantalum, are somewhat more limited to the +5 oxidation state. In aqueous solution, vanadium forms metal aquo complexes of which the colours are lilac [V(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ , green [V(H 2 O) 6 ] 3+ , blue [VO(H 2 O) 5 ] 2+ , yellow-orange oxides [VO(H 2 O) 5 ] 3+ , the formula for which depends on pH. Vanadium(II) compounds are reducing agents, and vanadium(V) compounds are oxidizing agents. Vanadium(IV) compounds often exist as vanadyl derivatives, which contain the VO 2+ center. Ammonium vanadate(V) (NH 4 VO 3 ) can be successively reduced with elemental zinc to obtain the different colors of vanadium in these four oxidation states. Lower oxidation states occur in compounds such as V(CO) 6 , and substituted derivatives. Vanadium pentoxide is a commercially important catalyst for the production of sulfuric acid, a reaction that exploits the ability of vanadium oxides to undergo redox reactions.…

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