Chemical element · reference page

23V

Vanadium

Vanadium is element 23 (V), located in period 4, group 5 and the d block. At room temperature its reference phase is solid. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d3 4s2.

Atomic number23

Standard atomic weight50.9415(1)

Group5

Period4

Blockd

Electron configuration[Ar] 3d3 4s2

Electronic structure

What controls its chemistry

The d subshell participates in the chemistry of vanadium. Transition metals can use electrons of similar energies in bonding, which is why variable oxidation states, coordination compounds and catalytic behaviour are common across the d block.

Its electron configuration, [Ar] 3d3 4s2, should be read together with the oxidation state of the compound: removing electrons changes which d orbitals are occupied and can alter colour, magnetism, bonding and reactivity.

Chemical forms

Compounds, ions and materials

For vanadium, important chemical forms include metals and alloys, oxides, halides and coordination compounds. Variable oxidation states are common because s and d electrons have similar energies, and ligands around the metal ion can strongly alter colour, magnetism and reactivity.

Physical behaviour

State and phase changes

The reference phase at room temperature is solid. The listed density is 6 g/cm³. The melting point is 2 201 K (1 928 °C). The boiling point is 3 680 K (3 407 °C). Pressure, purity and crystal structure can shift measured physical properties.

Occurrence and applications

Where vanadium is found and used

In practice, vanadium is encountered in metallurgy and steel, catalysts and batteries.

In practice

Examples of real uses

Metallurgy and steel

Vanadium is used in iron and steel processing, either as an alloying element, a refining aid or part of the ore-to-metal chemistry.

Catalysts

Vanadium is used to accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the overall reaction.

Batteries

Vanadium is used in selected battery chemistries, electrode materials or electrolytes. The exact role depends on the compound and cell design.

Periodic position

What its neighbours tell us

Vanadium is in period 4 and group 5. In the neighbourhood shown here, it lies between titanium and chromium in the same period; niobium is directly below it in the same group. These positions make it possible to compare atomic size, ionisation energy and bonding behaviour with nearby elements.

Reference data

Physical and atomic properties

Classificationtransition metal

Phase at room temperatureSolid

Electron shells2 · 8 · 11 · 2

Density6 g/cm³

Melting point2 201 K (1 928 °C)

Boiling point3 680 K (3 407 °C)

Pauling electronegativity1.63

First ionisation energy650.9 kJ/mol

Electron affinity50.91 kJ/mol

Values describe the element or neutral atom where applicable. Physical data can depend on allotrope, pressure and measurement conditions.

History

Discovery and identification

The discovery of vanadium is associated with Andrés Manuel del Río. Recognition of the element, isolation of a pure sample and assignment of its modern atomic number did not necessarily occur at the same time.

Isotopes and atomic weight

How isotope composition changes the numbers

The standard atomic weight is 50.9415(1). This value refers to the isotopic composition of natural terrestrial material, not to the mass of one specific atom.

Vanadium has at least one stable isotope. Different isotopes have the same number of protons and therefore the same element identity, but different neutron numbers and atomic masses.

Safety

Handling and exposure

The hazards associated with vanadium depend on chemical form, dose and route of exposure. Pure vanadium, its ions and its compounds can have very different biological and environmental effects, so safety data should be checked for the actual substance being handled.