# Sodium decavanadate

Sodium decavanadate describes any member of the family of inorganic compounds with the formula Na$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$](H$_2$O)$_n$. These are sodium salts of the orange-colored decavanadate anion [V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]$^{6−}$. Numerous other decavanadate salts have been isolated and studied since 1956 when it was first characterized.

## Preparation

The preparation of decavanadate is achieved by acidifying an aqueous solution of ortho-vanadate:
    10 Na$_3$[VO$_4$] + 24 HOAc → Na$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$] + 12 H$_2$O + 24 NaOAc
The formation of decavanadate is optimized by maintaining a pH range of 4–7. Typical side products include metavanadate, [VO$_3$]$^−$, and hexavanadate, [V$_6$O$_{16}$]$^{2−}$, ions.

## Structure

The decavanadate ion consists of 10 fused VO$_6$ octahedra and has D$_{2h}$ symmetry. The structure of Na$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·18H$_2$O has been confirmed with X-ray crystallography.
The decavanadate anions contains three sets of equivalent V atoms (see fig. 1). These include two central VO$_6$ octahedra (V$_c$) and four each peripheral tetragonal-pyramidal VO$_5$ groups (V$_a$ and V$_b$). There are seven unique groups of oxygen atoms (labeled A through G). Two of these (A) bridge to six V centers, four (B) bridge three V centers, fourteen of these (C, D and E) span edges between pairs of V centers, and eight (F and G) are peripheral.
The oxidation state of vanadium in decavanadate is +5.

## Acid-base properties

Aqueous vanadate (V) compounds undergo various self-condensation reactions. Depending on pH, major vanadate anions in solution include VO$_2$(H$_2$O)$_4$$^{2+}$, VO$_4$$^{3−}$, V$_2$O$_7$$^{3−}$, V$_3$O$_9$$^{3−}$, V$_4$O$_{12}$$^{4−}$, and V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{6−}$. The anions often reversibly protonate. Decavanadate forms according to this equilibrium:
    H$_3$V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{3−}$ ⇌ H$_2$V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{4−}$ + H$^+$
    H$_2$V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{4−}$ ⇌ HV$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{5−}$ + H$^+$
    HV$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{5−}$$_{(aq)}$ ⇌ V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{6−}$ + H$^+$
The structure of the various protonation states of the decavanadate ion has been examined by $^{51}$V NMR spectroscopy. Each species gives three signals; with slightly varying chemical shifts around −425, −506, and −523 ppm relative to vanadium oxytrichloride; suggesting that rapid proton exchange occurs resulting in equally symmetric species. The three protonations of decavanadate have been shown to occur at the bridging oxygen centers, indicated as B and C in figure 1.
Decavanadate is most stable in pH 4–7 region. Solutions of vanadate turn bright orange at pH 6.5, indicating the presence of decavanadate. Other vanadates are colorless. Below pH 2.0, brown V$_2$O$_5$ precipitates as the hydrate.
    V$_{10}$O$_{28}$$^{6−}$ + 6H$^+$ + 12H$_2$ ⇌ 5V$_2$O$_5$

## Potential uses

Decavanadate has been found to inhibit phosphoglycerate mutase, an enzyme which catalyzes step 8 of glycolysis. In addition, decavandate was found to have modest inhibition of Leishmania tarentolae viability, suggesting that decavandate may have a potential use as a topical inhibitor of protozoan parasites.

## Related decavanadates

Many decavanadate salts have been characterized. NH$_4$$^+$, Ca$^{2+}$, Ba$^{2+}$, Sr$^{2+}$, and group I decavanadate salts are prepared by the acid-base reaction between V$_2$O$_5$ and the oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, or hydrogen carbonate of the desired positive ion.
    6 NH$_3$ + 5 V$_2$O$_5$ + 3 H$_2$O ⇌ (NH$_4$)$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]
Other decavanadates:
    (NH$_4$)$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·6H$_2$O
    K$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·9H$_2$O
    K$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·10H$_2$O
    Ca$_3$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·16H$_2$O
    K$_2$Mg$_2$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·16H$_2$O
    K$_2$Zn$_2$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·16H$_2$O
    Cs$_2$Mg$_2$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·16H$_2$O
    Cs$_4$Na$_2$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·10H$_2$O
    K$_4$Na$_2$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·16H$_2$O
    Sr$_3$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·22H$_2$O
    Ba$_3$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·19H$_2$O
    [(C$_6$H$_5$)$_4$P]H$_3$V$_{10}$O$_{28}$·4CH$_3$CN
    Ag$_6$[V$_{10}$O$_{28}$]·4H$_2$O
Naturally occurring decavanadates include:
    Ca$_3$V$_{10}$O$_{28}$·17 H$_2$O (Pascoite)
    Ca$_2$Mg(V$_{10}$O$_{28}$)·16H$_2$O (Magnesiopascoite)
    Na$_4$Mg(V$_{10}$O$_{28}$)·24H$_2$O (Huemulite)