10580-52-6

apple green; hexagonal plates; strong reducing agent; preparation: heating VCl3 in N2 atmospheric, followed by sublimation in N2 atmospheric; used to purify HCl by removing arsenic [HAW93]

Rapid disproportionation of VCl3 according to the above equation can be achieved at 800°C in a stream of high-purity N2. The VCl4 is carried away by the N2 stream (4 bubbles/sec), while the VCl2 remains in the reactor tube. The temperature should not exceed 850°C, to avoid loss of VCl2 by sublimation. The reaction is fairly fast; for example, the reaction of 20 g. of VCl3 takes 2 hours.

Insoluble in alcohol or ether.