Vanadium is a transition element . Most transition elements and their compounds suit to be industrial and biological catalysts due to the following reasons;
- Due to their ability to show variable oxidation states .
- Form complexes , a complex is a central metal ion /atom surrounded by ligands that are coordinately bounded to the Central atom / ion. A ligand is a molecule or ions that forms a coordinate bond with a transition metal by donating a pair electron to the Central metal ion/atoms .
- Transition elements also provide a good surface for the reaction to take place.
- Transition elements easily lend and take electrons from other molecules.
Vanadium easily changes from one oxidation state to another. It can form unstable intermediates in one oxidation number and the acquiring another oxidation state thus providing new path for reactions.
Vanadium v oxide loses oxygen reversibly, this may be the reason why it is such a versatile catalyst. It catalyses oxidation of SO2 to SO3 in contact process of manufacturing Sulphuric VI acid. It catalyses oxidation of many organic compounds in oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Bonus ; Why is vanadium v oxide is preferred over platinum in contact process ?
✓ platinum reacts with arsenic impurities in the sulphur feed stock .
✓ vanadium acts as both amphoteric oxide and an oxidizing agent. ~~~~~~ Amphoteric oxide are oxides that reacts with bases as acids and acids as bases . They acts as both acids and as bases. E.g aluminum oxide.
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