Alcohols, vanadium phosphate

Intercalation reactions of neutral host lattices usually occur via electron transfer between the guest species and the host lattice. Furthermore, vanadium (V) compounds are strong oxidants, and vanadium phosphate catalysts are able to promote, for example, oxidation of alcohols to ketones [12]. 

As pointed out in the previous section, phosphate derivatives related to H3VO4 are of interest when it comes to the phosphate-vanadate antagonism. Similarly, vanadate esters are analogues of phosphate esters (Section 5.2.1). Esters of orthovanadic acid have been known since IQIS.I They are obtained by, e. g., condensation of vanadates and alcohols (ROH) in aqueous media [Equation (2.11)], alcoholysis of VOCI3 [Equation (2.12)] or the reaction of vanadium pentoxide and alcohols in the presence of water scavengers [Equation (2.13)]. The triesters are sensitive to moisture. The primary product of hydrolysis is the hexavanadic acid derivative V50i3(0R)4, giving rise to a yellow colouration as the colourless triesters come into contact with moist air. 

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