Vanadium Element Properties
Complete reference for vanadium (V, element 23): atomic data, electron configuration, oxidation states, physical constants, and chemical behavior.
Vanadium
Transition Metal — Period 4, Group 5
Atomic Identity
Electron Configuration
Three unpaired 3d electrons — follows Hund's rule
Oxidation States in Aqueous Solution
| Oxidation State | Ion / Species | Color | Example Compound | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +5 | VO₂⁺ | Yellow | V₂O₅ | Most stable; dominant in oxidizing conditions |
| +4 | VO²⁺ | Blue | VOSO₄ | Vanadyl ion; stable in mildly reducing conditions |
| +3 | V³⁺ | Green | VCl₃ | Mildly reducing; readily oxidized in air |
| +2 | V²⁺ | Violet | VSO₄ | Strong reducing agent; rapidly oxidized by water and air |
| +1 | V⁺ | Rare | — | Exists only in exotic organometallic complexes |
| 0 | V | Silver | — | Elemental metal; bulk solid or carbonyl V(CO)₆ |
The sequential color change from yellow (+5) → blue (+4) → green (+3) → violet (+2) is a classic qualitative analysis demonstration in inorganic chemistry labs.
Isotopes of Vanadium
| Isotope | Symbol | Protons | Neutrons | Mass (u) | Abundance | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanadium-48 | ⁴⁸V | 23 | 25 | 47.9522537 | Synthetic |
Unstable
EC/β⁺ decay, t½ = 15.97 d
|
| Vanadium-49 | ⁴⁹V | 23 | 26 | 48.9485161 | Synthetic |
Unstable
EC decay, t½ = 330 d
|
| Vanadium-50 | ⁵⁰V | 23 | 27 | 49.9471585 | 0.250% |
Unstable
Primordial; extremely long-lived, t½ ≈ 1.4×10¹⁷ y
|
| Vanadium-51 | ⁵¹V | 23 | 28 | 50.9439595 | 99.750% |
Stable
Stable
|
Vanadium-51 (⁵¹V) is the dominant stable isotope at 99.750% natural abundance and is the nucleus studied in ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Vanadium-50 is technically radioactive but has such an enormously long half-life that it behaves as a stable isotope in practice.
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Key Facts About Vanadium
Steel Strengthening Agent
About 85% of vanadium produced globally is consumed as ferrovanadium or vanadium pentoxide in steel manufacturing. Adding as little as 0.1% vanadium to steel refines grain structure, dramatically increasing tensile strength, hardness, and wear resistance. Vanadium steel is used in automotive frames, tools, pipelines, and structural rebar.
Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) exploit all four oxidation states of vanadium (+2/+3 at the negative electrode and +4/+5 at the positive) to store and release electrical energy. Their long cycle life, scalability, and ability to discharge fully without damage make them attractive for grid-scale renewable energy storage.
Vivid Color Chemistry
Vanadium compounds in aqueous solution display striking colors tied directly to oxidation state: VO₂⁺ (+5) is yellow, VO²⁺ (+4) is blue, V³⁺ is green, and V²⁺ is violet. This sequential color change is a classic inorganic chemistry demonstration and makes vanadium ideal for teaching redox reactions visually.
Contact Process Catalyst
Vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅) is the industrial catalyst for the contact process, which converts sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to sulfur trioxide (SO₃) — a key step in manufacturing sulfuric acid, one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world. Vanadium cycles between +5 and +4 oxidation states during catalysis.
Biological Role
Vanadium is an essential trace element for some organisms. Vanadium haloperoxidases in marine algae and fungi use vanadate as a cofactor to catalyze halide oxidation. Some tunicates (sea squirts) accumulate vanadium in their blood cells at concentrations millions of times higher than surrounding seawater, though the biological purpose remains debated.
Named After a Goddess
Vanadium was named by Nils Gabriel Sefström in 1830 after Vanadis, another name for Freya, the Norse goddess of beauty — a tribute to the element's beautifully colored compounds. The name replaced "erythronium," proposed by Andrés del Río, who had first observed the element in 1801 but was persuaded his discovery was merely chromium.
Summary
Complete reference for vanadium (V, element 23): atomic data, electron configuration, oxidation states, physical constants, and chemical behavior.
How it works
- Browse the atomic identity section for symbol, atomic number, and standard atomic weight.
- Check the electron configuration panel for full and noble-gas-shorthand notation.
- Review the oxidation states table to see the five accessible oxidation states and their characteristic colors.
- Consult the physical properties panel for melting point, density, and boiling point.
- Use the chemical properties section for electronegativity, ionization energies, and ionic radii.
- Click any highlighted value to copy it to your clipboard.
Use cases
- Look up vanadium constants for chemistry homework or exams.
- Verify electron configuration before writing molecular orbital diagrams.
- Reference oxidation states and colors for redox titration or qualitative analysis.
- Check thermodynamic constants for materials science or metallurgy research.
- Teach or learn d-block transition metal properties using vanadium as a case study.
- Find physical data for vanadium redox flow battery design.
- Confirm ionization energies for electrochemistry or spectroscopy work.
- Compare vanadium isotopes for nuclear or geochemical research.