Chemical Properties
Pink, deliquescent crystals. Decomposes on heating. Soluble in absolute alcohol
and ether; decomposes in water.
Uses
Preparation of vanadium dichloride and
organovanadium compounds.
Uses
Vanadium(III) chloride has been used as a catalyst for Biginelli condensation. As a reducing agent, it is capable of converting nitrate to nitrite in water samples, allowing for the direct detection of nitrates.
General Description
Vanadium trichloride acts as a reducing agent.
Air & Water Reactions
Deliquescent. Generates acid mists when exposed to moist air. Dissolves in water with formation of an acidic solution and generation of acidic fumes.
Reactivity Profile
VANADIUM(III) CHLORIDE attacks many organic compounds. Can catalyze organic reactions. Aqueous solutions react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid. Combination of the trichloride with methylmagnesium iodide, or other Grignard type reagents, can be violently explosive under a variety of conditions, Chem. Rev., 1955, 55, 560.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion and
subcutaneous routes. A corrosive irritant to
skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Extremely violent reaction with methyl
magnesium iodide and other Grignard
reagents. When heated to decomposition it
emits toxic fumes of VOx and Cl-. See also
VANADIUM COMPOUNDS and
HYDROCHLORIC ACID.
