Vanadium(III) fluoride

Vanadium(III) fluoride
Other names Vanadium fluoride, Vanadium trifluoride
Identifiers
CAS number	10049-12-4
PubChem	66230
ChemSpider	16057827 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES [V+3].[F-].[F-].[F-]
InChI InChI=1S/3FH.V/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Y Key: PASVSMBJEYQYSN-UHFFFAOYSA-K Y InChI=1/3FH.V/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: PASVSMBJEYQYSN-DFZHHIFOAM
Properties
Molecular formula	VF3
Molar mass	107.9367 g/mol
Appearance	gray-green powder
Density	3.363 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	1406 °C
Solubility in water	insoluble
Structure
Crystal structure	Rhombohedral, hR24
Space group	R-3c, No. 167
Hazards
EU classification	not listed
NFPA 704	0 3 2
Related compounds
Other anions	Vanadium(III) chloride Vanadium(III) oxide Vanadium(III) nitride
Other cations	Vanadium(IV) fluoride
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Vanadium(III) fluoride is the chemical compound with the formula VF₃. This gray-green, refractory solid is obtained in a two-step procedure from V₂O₃. The first step entails conversion to the hexafluorovanadate(III) salt using ammonium bifluoride:

V₂O₃ + 6 (NH₄)HF₂ → 2 (NH₄)₃VF₆ + 3 H₂O

In the second step, the hexafluorovanadate is thermally decomposed.

(NH₄)₃VF₆ → 3 NH₃ + 3 HF + VF₃

The thermal decomposition of ammonium salts is a relatively common method for the preparation of inorganic solids.

VF₃ can also be prepared by treatment of V₂O₃ with HF. VF₃ is a crystalline solid with 6 coordinate vanadium atoms with bridging fluorine atoms. The magnetic moment indicates the presence of two unpaired electrons.

References

Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0080379419.