Vanadyl sulfate

Chemical properties

Vanadyl sulfate is a pale blue crystalline powder. It is odorless and very soluble in water. It is denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. It may be toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.

Physical properties

The dihydrate, VOSO₄.2H₂O is a blue black crystalline powder, soluble in water.

The Uses of Vanadyl sulfate

The dihydrate is a mordant in dyeing and printing fabrics; used in preparing aniline black; a colorant in ceramics to form blue and green glazes; used in making colored glass; and a reducing agent.

Definition

ChEBI: Vanadyl sulfate is a vanadium coordination entity and a metal sulfate.

Preparation

Vanadyl sulfate is prepared by passing sulfur dioxide through a cold solution of vanadium pentoxide in sulfuric acid, followed by crystallization:
V2O5 + H2SO4 + H2O + SO2 → 2VOSO4 + 2H2O

General Description

Vanadyl sulfate is a sulfate of vanadium that occurs naturally as the mineral pauflerite. It is a common source of vanadium in the laboratory. Vanadyl sulfate is an intermediate in the extraction of vanadium from petroleum residues and is also a component of some food supplements and drugs. Vanadium is a transition metal with the chemical symbol V and atomic number 23. The element usually combines with other elements such as oxygen, sodium, sulfur, or chloride, and occurs naturally in about 65 different minerals and in fossil fuel deposits. Vanadium is found in many organisms, and is used by some life forms as an active center of enzymes. (L837, L838, L852)

Reactivity Profile

Vanadyl sulfate has weak oxidizing or reducing powers. Redox reactions can however still occur.

Health Hazard

Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

A poison and an inhalation hazard. Poison by intravenous, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of VOx and SOx. See also SULFATES and VANADIUM COMPOUNDS.

Potential Exposure

Vanadyl sulfate is used as a fixative for textile dyes, a colorant for glass and ceramics; a reducing agent and a catalyst.

Shipping

UN2931 Vanadyl sulfate, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

Vanadyl sulfate has weak oxidizing or reducing powers. Redox reactions can however still occur. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Vanadyl sulfate may attack metals; sulfates react with aluminum, magnesium.