Tetrahedral Coordination in the First Structurally Characterized Dichlorooxovanadium(V) Alkoxide

Reaction of VOCl₃ with 2‐phenoxyethanol in n‐hexane in a 1:1 fashion gives dichlorooxo(2‐phenoxyethanolato)vanadium(V). HCl elimination yields the orange vanadium(V) complex, which is the first structurally characterized dichlorooxovanadium(V) alkoxide. The structure analysis reveals an unexpected tetrahedral coordination around the vanadium atom in the monomeric compound. Alcoholysis and hydrolysis reactions of VOCl₂(OCH₂CH₂OPh)] are monitored by ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Activated with Me₃SiCH₂MgCl or ⁿBu₂Mg the complex catalyses the polymerisation of styrene.