Vanadium (chemical element): the history of the name, the structure of the atom, the valence

Among the 115 chemicals known today, many received their name in honor of the heroes of the Greek myths, gods. Others called by the name of the discoverers and famous scientists. Still others were called by countries, cities, geographical objects. Particularly interesting is the history of the name of such an element as vanadium. And in itself this metal is quite important and has special characteristics. Therefore, consider it in more detail.

Vanadium - a chemical element in the periodic table

If we characterize this element by position in a periodic system, we can distinguish several main points.

1. It is located in the fourth big period, the fifth group, the main subgroup.
2. The serial number is 23.
3. The atomic mass of the element is 50.9415.
4. The chemical symbol is V.
5. The Latin name is vanadium.
6. The Russian name is vanadium. The chemical element in the formulas is read as "vanadium".
7. It is a typical metal, shows restorative properties.

According to the position in the system of elements, it is obvious that as a simple substance this element will have properties similar to those of tantalum and niobium.

Features of the structure of the atom

Vanadium is a chemical element whose atomic structure is expressed by the general electronic formula 3d ³ 4s ² . Obviously, due to such a configuration, both the valence and the degree of oxidation can exhibit unequal values.

This formula allows to predict the properties of vanadium as a simple substance - this is a typical metal that forms a large number of different compounds, including complex ones.

The characteristic valence and degree of oxidation

Due to the presence of three unpaired electrons in the 3d sublevel, vanadium can exhibit a +3 oxidation state. However, it is not the only one. There are four possible values:

• +2;
• +3;
• +4;
• +5.

In this case, vanadium is a chemical element whose valence also has two indicators: IV and V. That is why the compounds of this atom are simply numerous, and they all have a beautiful color tint. Especially this is famous for water complexes and metal salts.

Vanadium: a chemical element. Title History

If we talk about the history of the discovery of this metal, we should turn to the beginning of the XVIII century. It was during this period, in 1801, that the Mexican del Rio managed to discover an element unknown to him in the composition of leaden rock, a sample of which he was exploring. After several experiments, del Rio received several beautifully colored metal salts. He gave it the name "erythron," but later accepted it for chromium salts, so the palm tree did not receive the championship in the opening.

Later another scientist, Swede Sefström, managed to get this metal, separating it from the iron ore. This chemist has doubts that the element is new and unknown, it was not. Therefore, the discoverer is he. Together with Jens Berzelius, he gave the name of the open element - vanadium.

Why this? In Old Norse mythology, there is one goddess who is the embodiment of love, steadfastness, loyalty and devotion. She is the goddess of beauty. Her name was Vanadis. After the scientists studied the properties of the compounds of the element, it became quite obvious to them that they are very beautiful, colored. And the addition of metal to alloys dramatically improves their quality and strength and stability. Therefore, in honor of the goddess Vanadis, and was given the name of an unusual and important metal.

Vanadium - a chemical element, which in the form of a simple substance was obtained even later. Only in 1869 the English chemist G. Roscoe managed to isolate the metal in a free form from the rock. Another scientist F. Weller has proved that the once discovered del Rio "chrome" is vanadium. However, the Mexican did not live to see this day and did not learn about his discovery. In Russia, the name of the element came thanks to GI Hess.

A simple vanadium compound

As a simple matter, the atom in question is a metal. It has a number of physical properties.

1. Color: silvery white, shiny.
2. Fragile, hard, heavy, since the density is 6.11 g / cm ³ .
3. The melting point is 1920 ^° C, which allows it to be attributed to refractory metals.
4. It does not oxidize in air.

Since in its free form it is impossible to meet it in nature, people have to separate it from the composition of various minerals and rocks.

Vanadium is a chemical element-metal, which exhibits sufficiently high chemical activity under heating and certain conditions. If we talk about the standard parameters of the environment, then it is able to react only with concentrated acids, royal vodka.

With some nonmetals forms binary compounds, the reactions take place at high temperatures. In the melts of alkalis dissolves, forming complexes - vanadates. Oxygen as a strong oxidant dissolves in vanadium, and the more, the higher the temperature of heating the mixture.

Being in nature and isotopes

If we talk about the prevalence of the atom in question in nature, then vanadium is a chemical element that belongs to the scattered. It is a part of almost all large rocks, ores and minerals. But nowhere does it happen more than 2%.

The content in the earth's crust is considerably 1.9 * 10 ^-7 . On this indicator, it stands in front of copper, zinc, lead. Own metal rocks do not form, but there are several deposits that are considered to be vanadium. They contain iron, in the crystal lattice of which the atoms of vanadium are embedded in a large number.

These are such breeds as:

• Vanadinite;
• Patronit;
• Carnotite;
• Chileit.

Also you can find the metal in question:

• Ash of plants;
• Ocean water;
• Bodies of ascidians, holothurians;
• Organisms of terrestrial plants and animals.

If we talk about vanadium isotopes, there are only two of them: with a mass number of 51, which is the overwhelming majority - 99.77%, and with a mass number of 50, which is scattered radioactive and occurs in insignificant quantities.

Vanadium compounds

Above we have already pointed out that, as a chemical element, a given metal exhibits sufficient activity to form a large number of different compounds. Thus, the following types of substances with the participation of vanadium are known.

1. Oxides.
2. Hydroxides.
3. Binary salts (chlorides, fluorides, bromides, sulphides, iodides).
4. Oxides (oxychlorides, oxybromides, oxytrifluorides and others).
5. Complex salts.

Since the valence of the element varies widely enough, then a lot of substances are obtained. The main distinguishing feature of all of them is coloring. Vanadium is a chemical element whose analysis of compounds shows that the color can range from white and yellow to red and blue, including shades of green, orange, black and violet. In part, this was the reason why they gave the name to the atom, because it really looks very nice.

However, many of the compounds are obtained only under rather stringent reaction conditions. In addition, most of them are toxic, dangerous substances for humans. Aggregate state of substances can be very different. For example, chlorides, bromides and fluorides are most often dark pink, green or black crystals. And oxides are in the form of powders.

Production and application of metal

Obtain vanadium, isolating it from rocks and ores. And those minerals, which contain even 1% of the metal, are considered extremely rich in vanadium. After separation of a sample of a mixture of iron and vanadium, it is transferred to a concentrated solution. From it, sodium vanadate is isolated by acidification, from which a highly concentrated sample is subsequently obtained, with a metal content of up to 90%.

This dried cake is then calcined in an oven and reduced to a metal state of vanadium. In this form, the material is ready for use.

Vanadium is a chemical element that is widely used in industry. Especially in machine building and smelting of steel alloys. Several basic areas of metal use can be identified.

1. Textile industry.
2. Glass-making.
3. Manufacture of ceramics and rubber.
4. Paint and varnish industry.
5. Preparation and synthesis of chemicals (sulfuric production).
6. Manufacture of nuclear reactors.
7. Aviation and shipbuilding, mechanical engineering.

Vanadium is a very important alloying component for the production of light, durable, corrosion resistant alloys, mostly steels. Knowingly it is called "automotive metal".