Home » Ask & Discuss » Chemistry
« Back to Discussion

Physical Chemistry

Blazing goIITian

Joined:	26 Aug 2010
Post:	308

6 Nov 2010 10:14:49 IST

0 People liked this

216

General introduction of group 16 elements

Engineering Entrance , Medical Entrance , NEET , JEE Main , AIIMS , JEE Main & Advanced , Chemistry , Physical Chemistry

General introduction of group 16 elements

Comments (1)

Sagar Saxena

Blazing goIITian

Joined: 8 Oct 2008

Posts: 8064

16 Jul 2012 19:28:26 IST

Like 0 people liked this

Group 16 elements have 6 valence electrons, meaning that they require two more electrons to complete a stable electron octet. They still have relatively large electron affinities and are rather reactive, forming ions with a -2 charge. All but polonium form volatile compounds with hydrogen: water H₂O, hydrogen sulfide H₂S, hydrogen selenide H₂Se, and hydrogen telluride H₂Te.

Electronegativity decreases in this group with increasing atomic mass, and oxygen is more electronegative than any element except fluorine; it acts much like a halogen except for its -2 oxidation state. Fluorine and oxygen oxidize these elements (except oxygen) to the +6 oxidation state, resulting in such substances (for sulfur) as sulfur hexafluoride SF₆ and sulfur trioxide SO₃ and its derivative sulfuric acid H₂SO₄, one of the most heavily-used industrial chemicals. (Note that use of sulfuric acid requires extreme care because it causes chemical burns upon flesh, cloth, and paper). Typically, these elements will attain an oxidation state of -2.

Oxides of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium are acidic. Strong radioactivity largely masks the chemical properties of polonium..........

Quick Reply

Reply

	Some HTML allowed.
	Keep your comments above the belt or risk having them deleted.
	Signup for a avatar to have your pictures show up by your comment
	If Members see a thread that violates the Posting Rules, bring it to the attention of the Moderator Team