Virtual organic chemistry, size

The most common oxidation state of niobium is +5, although many anhydrous compounds have been made with lower oxidation states, notably +4 and +3, and Nb can be reduced in aqueous solution to Nb by zinc. The aqueous chemistry primarily involves halo- and organic acid anionic complexes. Virtually no cationic chemistry exists because of the irreversible hydrolysis of the cation in dilute solutions. Metal—metal bonding is common. Extensive polymeric anions form. Niobium resembles tantalum and titanium in its chemistry, and separation from these elements is difficult. In the soHd state, niobium has the same atomic radius as tantalum and essentially the same ionic radius as well, ie, Nb Ta = 68 pm. This is the same size as Ti ... 

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