VANADIUM (IV) CHLORIDE

Chemical Properties

Vanadium tetrachloride is a thick, reddishbrown liquid that gives off fumes on exposure to moist air.

Chemical Properties

Red liquid. Decomposes slowly to vanadium trichloride and chlorine below63C. Soluble in absolute alcohol and ether. Nonflammable.

Uses

Preparation of vanadium trichloride, vanadium dichloride, and organovanadium compounds.

Preparation

Disproportionate of VCl3 to VCl2 and VCl4 by heating in a N2 stream at 900°C in a porcelain tube.

Air & Water Reactions

Forms acid mists in moist air. Reacts with water to form corrosive fumes of HCl. Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 952).

Reactivity Profile

VANADIUM (IV) CHLORIDE decomposes by the action of light with the formation of Cl2 gas. Reacts as an acid to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat. Usually does not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. May catalyze organic reactions.

Health Hazard

CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Substance may be transported in a molten form.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of VOx and Cl-. See also VANADIUM COMPOUNDS and HYDROCHLORIC ACID.

Potential Exposure

Vanadium tetrachloride is used as a fixative in textile dyeing and in the manufacture of other vanadium compounds.

Shipping

UN2444 Vanadium tetrachloride, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material.

Incompatibilities

Vanadium tetrachloride is chemically unstable, highly reactive with all forms of moisture, including humidity, releasing corrosive hydrogen chloride and/or chloride fumes. Keep away from light, UV, water, steam, lithium, chlorine, trifluoride, alcohols, organic, and combustible materials. Vanadium tetrachloride is a reactive chemical and is an explosion hazard. See storage and handling section. Corrosive to metals and may release flammable hydrogen gas. Vanadium tetrachloride decomposes by the action of light with the formation of Cl2 gas. Reacts as an acid to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat. Usually does not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. May catalyze organic reactions.