Substitution and redox reactions involving vanadium oxotrifluorine

VOF₃ is soluble in acetonitrile but is slowly reduced to give a vanadyl (IV) species as one product. It reacts rapidly with Me₃SiNet₂ in MeCN below ambient temperature; fluorine is replaced by -NEt₂ ligands but the spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the products indicate that, in addition, reduction to V^IV occurs not some extent. The products are formulated as VOF_3-n(NEt₂)_n containing small quantities of VOF_2-m(NEt₂)_m(NEt₂H) (n = 1-3, m = 0-2). A similar reaction occurs between VOF₃ and Me₃SiOMe but with Me₃SiOSiMe₃ only VO₂F is formed.