Chemical Properties
Lemon-yellow liquid. Nonionizing solvent. Dissolves
most nonmetals; dissolves and/or reacts with
many organic compounds; hydrolyzes in moisture.
General Description
A lemon yellow liquid. Boiling point 257-260°F (125-127°C). Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used as a catalyst.
Reactivity Profile
VANADIUM OXYTRICHLORIDE(7727-18-6) is incompatible with bases, including amines, with strong oxidizing agents, and with alcohols. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291]. Combination with sodium metal led to a violent explosion [Bretherick 5th ed., 1995].
Air & Water Reactions
Fumes in air. Reacts with moist air to form vanadic acid and hydrochloric acid fumes [Von Schwartz 1918. p.321]. Reacts exothermically with water to generate acidic fumes and acidic solutions. Violently hygroscopic.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of vapor causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. Contact with eyes or skin causes severe irritation.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating fumes of hydrogen chloride may form in fires.
Purification Methods
VOCl3 should be lemon yellow in colour. If it is red, it may contain VCl4 and Cl2. Fractionally distil it, and then redistil it over metallic Na, but be careful to leave some residue because the residue can become EXPLOSIVE in the presence of the metal. USE A SAFETY SHIELD and avoid contact with moisture. It readily hydrolyses to vanadic acid and HCl. Store it in a tightly closed container or in sealed ampoules under N2. [Brown & Griffitts Inorg Synth I 106 1939, Brown & Griffitts Inorg Synth IV 80 1953.]
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
