Vanadium tetrafluoride


Vanadium fluoride is an inorganic compound of vanadium and fluorine. It is paramagnetic yellow-brown solid that is very hygroscopic. Unlike the corresponding vanadium tetrachloride, the tetrafluoride is not volatile because it adopts a polymeric structure. It decomposes before melting.

Preparation and reactions

VF4 can be prepared by treating VCl4 with HF:
It was first prepared in this way.
It decomposes at 325 °C, undergoing disproportionation to the tri- and pentafluorides:

Structure

The structure of VF4 is related to that of SnF4. Each vanadium centre is octahedral, surrounded by six fluoride ligands. Four of the fluoride centers bridge to adjacent vanadium centres.