Vanadium(V) oxytrifluoride
# Vanadium(V) oxytrifluoride

Vanadium(V) oxytrifluoride is a chemical compound with the formula $VOF_3.$ It is one of several vanadium(V) oxyhalides. $VOF_3$ is a yellowish orange powder that is sensitive to moisture. Characteristic of early metal fluorides, the structure is polymeric in the solid state. The solid adopts a layered structure but upon evaporation, the species becomes dimeric. In contrast $VOCl_3$ and $VOBr_3$ remain tetrahedral in all states, being volatile liquids at room temperature.

## Reactions

In organic synthesis, $VOF_3$ is used for the oxidative coupling of phenols, for example in the syntheses of vancomycin and its analogues. For these applications $VOF_3$ is typically dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid.

Vanadium(V) oxytrifluoride reacts with hexamethyldisiloxane to give vanadium dioxide fluoride:

    $(CH_3)_3SiOSi(CH_3)_3$ + $VOF_3$ → $VO_2F$ + 2 $(CH_3)_3SiF$
