Stepwise assembly of a polyoxovanadate from mononuclear units in an organic solvent: carboxylate-stabilised fragments in the conversion of [VOCl4]2− to [V15O36]5−

Abstract

The [VOCl4]2–/AgOAc reaction system in MeCN gives [V5O9Cl(OAc)4]2–, [V9O19(OAc)5]3– and [V15O36]5– for reagent ratios of 1∶2, 1∶3 and 1∶4, respectively: the V5 and V9 cores are fragments of the V15 core, suggesting the V5 and V9 units are carboxylate-stabilised intermediates in the assembly of the V15 polyoxovanadate.