Rucete ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell
Group 6 Atoms Chalcogens Summary
General Characteristics
- Elements: Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se), Tellurium (Te), Polonium (Po)
- Electron Configuration: ns²np⁴
- Metallic Character:
- Nonmetals: O, S
- Metalloids: Te, Po
- Po is also radioactive.
- Common Oxidation States: -2, +4, +6
- Reactivity: Forms molecular compounds with nonmetals.
Element Breakdown
Oxygen (O)
- Exists as O₂ (oxygen) and O₃ (ozone).
- O₃ (ozone):
- Thermodynamically unstable (can spontaneously convert to O₂).
- Strong oxidizing agent.
- Blocks UV radiation from the sun.
- O₂ (oxygen):
- Forms the oxide ion (O²⁻) in ionic compounds.
Sulfur (S) & Selenium (Se)
- Allotropes: Form S₈ and Se₈ ring structures.
- Sulfur forms sulfur trioxide (SO₃), which reacts with water to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
Tellurium (Te) & Polonium (Po)
- Metalloids with some metallic properties.
- Polonium (Po) is radioactive.
Key Trends & Properties
Metallic Character Increases Down the Group:
- O, S → Nonmetals
- Se, Te → Metalloids
- Po → Radioactive Metalloid
Oxidation States:
- -2 is most common (O²⁻, S²⁻, etc.).
- +4 and +6 appear in compounds like SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) and SO₃ (Sulfur Trioxide).
Reactivity:
- Oxygen is a strong oxidizer.
- Sulfur reacts with oxygen to form SO₃, which leads to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
- Polonium is radioactive and highly toxic.
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Chemistry in a nutshell