The mystery of VO(OEt)3 conversion on microhydrolysis disclosed: the X-ray single crystal study of V6O7(OEt)12

The microhydrolysis of VO(OEt)3 on interaction with atmospheric moisture in the absence of other solvents than the compound itself leads to crystallization of a greenish black crystalline compound. The latter was identified as V6O7(OEt)12 (I), a member of the hexavanadate family, with the aid of an X-ray single crystal study (space group R-3, a=b=17.483(11), c=11.273(10) Å, α=β=90, γ=120°). The V6O19 core is highly symmetric and situated on the cross section of the crystallographic elements of symmetry. The carbon atoms of each ethoxy group are disordered between two positions arising from two different orientations possible for it.