Vanadium Subsilicide, V₂Si

Vanadium Subsilicide, V₂Si, is obtained by fusing a mixture of vanadium trioxide, V₂O₃, and silicon, with the addition of either a large excess of vanadium or carbon or copper. The carbide or copper alloy produced is decomposed at the temperature employed. The silicide forms metallic prisms, of density 5.48 at 17° C., the m.pt. of which is higher than in the case of the disilicide. It is attacked by the halogens, hydrogen chloride gas, and fused sodium or copper, but hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulphuric acid are without action.