Vanadium(V) chloride
Vanadium 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.
Preparation and reactions
Chlorine cannot oxidise vanadium; chlorination of vanadium metal will yield only vanadium(IV) chloride. Vanadium 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.