Coordination and solvation of V+ with ammonia molecules: Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of V+(NH3)n (n = 4-8)

► IR spectroscopy suggests a coordination number of 4 for V+(NH3)4-8. ► DFT calculations predict a square-planar coordination for V+(NH3)4. ► Extra NH3 molecules tend to occupy H-bonding sites in the second shell. ► Lowest-energy 6-coordinated isomer is not found in the V+(NH3)6 spectrum.