At least three different cationic species arise in the classic protonolysis of [VIV(NEt2)4] with a borate ammonium salt. The unexpected formation of the vanadium(V ) species [V(NEt2)4][B(C6H5)4] (shown in the picture without its counterion) underlines the problem of deducing the true oxidation state of vanadium species in Ziegler–Natta reactions.