P-Block Elements: Properties & Reactivity
P-Block Elements: Properties & Reactivity
It Exists in many Allotropic In Trivalent state, The Number of Protects the Metal From Further
Forms Electrons around the central atom attack
Due to very Strong Crystalline in a molecule of the compounds Amorphous Boron and
Lattice, Boron Has Unusually of These Elements (Boron in BF3) Aluminium Metal on Heating in
High Melting point will be six. air Form B2O3 and Al2O3
Rest of the members are Soft Such Electron Deficient respectively.
Metals with Low Melting point molecules have Tendency to Di Nitrogen at High Temperature
and High Electrical Conductivity accept a pair of Electrons to Form Nitrides
achieve stable Electronic 2E + 3O2 → 2E2O3
Gallium with Unusually Low
configuration and Behave as
Melting Point (303K) 2E + N2 → 2EN
Lewis acids
Its High Boiling Point (2676 K) Boron Trioxide is acidic and
The Tendency to Behave as
Makes it a useful material for reacts with Basic (Metallic)
Lewis acid decreases with the
measuring High Temperatures oxides Forming Metal Borates
increase in the Size down the
Density of the Elements Increases Aluminium and gallium oxides
group. BCl3 Easily accepts a
down the group From Boron to are Amphoteric and those of
Lone pair of Electrons From
Thallium Indium and Thallium are basic in
ammonia to Form BCl3 ⋅NH3
Chemical Properties their properties
In Trivalent state most of the
Oxidation state and Trends in compounds being Covalent are Reactivity Towards acids and
Chemical Reactivity Hydrolysed in water alkalies
Due to small size of Boron, The The Trichlorides on Hyrolysis in Boron does Not react with acids
sum of its First Three Ionization water Form Tetrahedral and alkalies Even at moderate
Enthalpies is very High. [M(OH)4]- Species Temperature But aluminium
This Prevents it to Form +3 ions dissolves in mineral acids and
The Hybridisation state of
and Forces it to Form only aqueous alkalies and shows
Element M is sp3 .
Covalent Compounds Amphoteric character.
Aluminium Chloride in acidified
Aluminium is a Highly Aluminium dissolves in Dilute
aqueous solution Forms
Electropositive Metal HCl and Liberates Di Hydrogen.
Octahedral [Al(H2O)6]3+ ion.
The Relative Stability of +1 2Al + 6HCl → 2Al3+ + 6Cl–+
In this complex ion, The 3d
Oxidation state Progressively 3H2
orbitals of Al are involved and
increases For Heavier elements: The Hybridisation state of Al is Concentrated Nitric acid renders
Al < Ga < In sp3d2 . aluminium Passive by Forming a
The +3 oxidation state is Highly Protective oxide Layer on the
Reactivity Towards air
Oxidising in character. surface.
Boron is Unreactive in
The compounds in +1 oxidation Aluminium also reacts with
Crystalline Form.
state, as Expected From Energy aqueous alkali and Liberates Di
Aluminium Forms a very Thin
considerations, are more Ionic Hydrogen
oxide Layer on the surface which
Than Those in +3 oxidation state
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
2Al + 2NaOH + 6H2O → 2 Na+ Boron being Extremely Hard The use of aluminium and its
[Al(OH)4] – + 3H2 refractory solid of High Melting compounds For Domestic
Reactivity Towards Halogens Point, Low Density and very low Purposes is Now Reduced
These Elements react with Electrical Conductivity considerably because of their
Halogens to Form Tri Halides Boron Fibres are used in making Toxic Nature
(Except TlI3 ). Bullet-Proof vest and light GROUP - 14
2E + 3X2 → 2EX3 composite material for aircraft Carbon, silicon, germanium, tin
Anomalous properties of Boron The Boron-10 (10B) isotope has lead and Flerovium are the
High ability to absorb Neutrons members of group 14
The Tri-Chlorides, Bromides and
Iodides of all Elements being
and, Therefore, Metal Borides are Carbon is the Seventeenth most
used in Nuclear industry as abundant Element by mass in the
Covalent in Nature are
Protective Shields and control Earth’s crust
Hydrolysed in water.
rods It is distributed in Nature in Free
Species like Tetrahedral
The Main Industrial application as well as in the Combined State
[M(OH)4] – and Octahedral
of Borax and Boric acid is in the
[M(H2O)6] 3+, Except in Boron, In Elemental state it is available
Manufacture of Heat resistant
Exist in aqueous medium as coal, graphite and diamond;
glasses (Pyrex), glass-wool and
The Monomeric Tri Halides, However, in combined state it is
Fibreglass.
being Electron deficient, are present as Metal carbonates,
Borax is also used as a Flux for Hydrocarbons and carbon
Strong Lewis acids.
Soldering Metals, For Heat, Dioxide gas (0.03%) in air
Boron Tri Fluoride easily reacts scratch and Stain resistant glazed Naturally occurring carbon
with Lewis Bases such as NH3 to coating to Earthenwares and as Contains Two Stable Isotopes:12C
Complete Octet around Boron constituent of Medicinal soaps and 13C.
It is due to the absence of d An aqueous solution of Third isotope, 14C is also Present.
orbitals That Maximum Orthoboric acid is generally used
Covalence of B is 4. It is a radioactive isotope with
as a Mild antiseptic
Since the d orbitals are available Half-life 5770 years and used for
Aluminium is a Bright Silvery- Radiocarbon dating.
with Al and other Elements, The
white metal, Having High Tensile
Maximum Covalence can be Silicon is the Second (27.7 % by
Strength
Expected beyond 4. mass) Most abundant Element on
It has a High Electrical and The Earth’s crust and is Present
Most of the Other Metal Halides Thermal Conductivity in Nature in the Form of Silica
(AlCl3 ) are Dimerised Through
The Electrical conductivity of and Silicates.
Halogen Bridging (Al2Cl6 ).
aluminium is Twice That of Silicon is a very important
The Metal species completes its
Copper component of ceramics, glass and
octet by accepting Electrons
Aluminium is used Extensively in cement.
From Halogen in These Halogen
Industry and Everyday Life. Germanium Exists only in
Bridged molecule
It Forms alloys with Cu, Mn, Mg, Traces.
Si and Zn.
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
Tin occurs mainly as Cassiterite, Metalloid, whereas Tin and Lead In Tetravalent state the Number
SnO2 and Lead as galena, PbS. are Soft Metals with Low Melting of Electrons around the central
Flerovium is Synthetically Points atom in a molecule (carbon in
prepared Radioactive Element Melting Points and Boiling Points CCl4 ) is Eight.
Ultrapure Form of germanium of group 14 Elements are much Being Electron Precise Molecules
and silicon are used to make Higher than those of They are Normally Not expected
Transistors and semiconductor corresponding Elements of group to act as Electron acceptor or
devices 13 Electron donor species.
Covalent Radius Chemical Properties Carbon cannot Exceed its
There is a considerable Increase Oxidation states and Trends in Covalence More Than 4, Other
Chemical reactivity Elements of the group can do so.
in Covalent radius From C to Si,
From Si to Pb a small increase in The Common oxidation states It is because of the Presence of d
radius is observed. Exhibited by These Elements are orbital in Them.
This is Due to the Presence of +4 and +2 Due to this, Their Halides
Completely Filled d and f Carbon also Exhibits Negative undergo Hydrolysis and have
Orbitals in Heavier Members Oxidation States. Tendency to Form complexes by
accepting Electron pairs from
Ionization Enthalpy Since the sum of the first four
Ionization Enthalpies is very donor species.
Small decrease in ∆H From Si to
High, compounds in +4 oxidation The species like, SiF6 2– ,
Ge to Sn and Slight Increase in
state are generally Covalent in [GeCl6 ]2– , [Sn(OH)6]2– Exist
∆H From Sn to Pb is the
Nature. Reactivity Towards Oxygen
Consequence of Poor Shielding
Effect of intervening d and f In Heavier members the All members when heated in
Orbitals and Increase in size of Tendency to show +2 oxidation Oxygen Form oxides
the atom state increases in the sequence Ge There are Mainly Two Types of
< Sn Oxides - Monoxide and Dioxide
Electronegativity
Carbon and Silicon mostly show of Formula MO and MO2
Due to small size, the Elements
+4 oxidation state. SiO only Exists at High
of This group are Slightly more
Electronegative than group 13 Germanium Forms stable Temperature.
Elements. compounds in +4 state and only Oxides in Higher Oxidation
Few compounds in +2 state. States of Elements are generally
The Electronegativity values for
Elements From Si to Pb are Tin Forms compounds in both More acidic Than Those in
almost the same oxidation states (Sn in +2 state is Lower Oxidation states.
a Reducing Agent). The Dioxides — CO2 , SiO2 and
Physical Properties
Lead compounds in +2 state are GeO2 are Acidic, whereas SnO2
All members of group14 are
stable and in +4 state are Strong and PbO2 are Amphoteric in
Solids.
Oxidising agents. Nature.
Carbon and silicon are Non-
Metals, germanium is a
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
Among Monoxides, CO is Heavier Members Ge to Pb are with Itself and with other atoms
Neutral, GeO is distinctly acidic able to make Halides of Formula of Small size and high
whereas SnO and PbO are MX2 Electronegativity
Amphoteric Stability of Dihalides increases Heavier Elements do not form
Reactivity Towards water Down the group. pπ– pπ bonds because their
Carbon, Silicon and Germanium Considering the Thermal and atomic orbitals are Too Large and
are Not affected by water. Chemical Stability, GeX4 is More Diffuse to Have Effective
Tin decomposes Steam to Form Stable than GeX2 , whereas PbX2 Overlapping
Dioxide and Di Hydrogen gas is More than PbX4 Carbon atoms Have The
Except CCl4 , Other Tendency to Link with one
Sn + 2H2O →SnO2 + 2H2
Tetrachlorides are Easily another through Covalent bonds
Lead is unaffected by water,
Hydrolysed by water because the to Form chains and rings
Probably because of a Protective
central atom can accommodate This Property is called
Oxide Film Formation
the Lone Pair of Electrons from Catenation.
Reactivity Towards Halogen Oxygen atom of water Molecule This is Because C—C bonds are
These Elements can Form in d Orbital Very strong.
Halides of formula MX2 and MX4 SiCl4 It undergoes Hydrolysis by Down the group the size
Except Carbon, All other initially accepting Lone Pair of increases and Electronegativity
Members react Directly with Electrons From water molecule in decreases, and, Tendency to show
Halogen under suitable condition d Orbitals of Si, Finally leading catenation Decreases.
to make Halides. To the Formation of Si(OH)4
The Order of Catenation is C > >
Most of the MX4 are Covalent in Carbon also Differs From rest of
Si > Ge ≈ Sn.
Nature the members of its group.
Lead does Not show catenation
The Central Metal atom in These It is Due to its Smaller Size,
Due to Property of catenation and
Halides undergoes sp3 Higher Electronegativity, Higher
Hybridisation and the molecule is Ionisation Enthalpy and pπ– pπ Bond Formation, Carbon
Tetrahedral in shape Unavailability of d orbitals is able to show Allotropic
Exceptions are SnF4 and PbF4 , S and P orbitals are available for GROUP - 15
which are Ionic in Nature. Bonding and, Therefore, It can The Absence of d orbitals in
PbI4 does Not Exist because Pb— accommodate only Four pairs of second period and presence of d
I bond Initially Formed during Electrons around it or d and F Orbital in heavier
the reaction does Not release This would Limit the Maximum Elements have Significant Effects
Enough Energy to UnPair Covalence to Four whereas other on the properties of Elements
Electrons and Excite one of them members can Expand their Group 15 Includes Nitrogen,
to Higher orbital To Have Four Covalence due to the Presence of Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony
UnPaired Electrons around Lead d orbitals and Bismuth
atom. Carbon also has unique ability to Nitrogen and phosphorus are
form pπ– pπ Multiple Bonds Non-metals
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
Arsenic and Antimony Metalloids This is due to the Presence of +3 state Stability Increases (Due
Bismuth is a typical metal completely Filled d or F Orbital to Inert pair Effect) Down the
Molecular Nitrogen comprises in Heavier members group.
78% by volume of the Ionisation Enthalpy Decreases Nitrogen Exhibits + 1, + 2, + 4
atmosphere. Down the group. Oxidation states also when it
In the Earth’s crust - It occurs as Because of the Extra Stable Half- reacts with Oxygen.
Sodium Nitrate, NaNO3 (called Filled P Orbitals Electronic Phosphorus also shows +1 and +4
Chile Saltpetre) and Potassium configuration and Smaller Size Oxidation states in some
Nitrate (Indian Saltpetre). the Ionisation Enthalpy of the Oxoacids
group 15 Elements is much 3HNO2 → HNO3 + H2O + 2NO
It is Found in the Form of
greater than that of group 14
Proteins in Plants and Animals In Phosphorus All Intermediate
elements in the Corresponding
Phosphorus occurs in minerals of Oxidation states Disproportionate
Periods.
the Apatite Family - Ca9(PO4)6 . into +5 and –3 both in Alkali and
The ElectroNegativity value Acid.
CaX2 (X = F, Cl or OH)
Decreases Down the group
Ex- Fluorapatite Ca9(PO4)6.CaF2 However +3 oxidation state in
All the Elements of this group are case of Arsenic, Antimony and
These are the main components Polyatomic. Bismuth becomes Increasing
of Phosphate rocks.
DiNitrogen is a Diatomic gas but stability with respect to
Phosphorus is an Essential all others are Solids Disproportionation
constituent of Animal and Plant The Boiling points Increase Nitrogen is restricted to a
Matter. Down the group but the Melting Maximum Covalency of 4 Since
It is Present in Bones as well as point Increases upto Arsenic and only Four (one s and three p)
in Living cells then Decreases upto Bismuth Orbital are Available for
Phosphoproteins are present in Except Nitrogen - All the Bonding.
Milk and Eggs Elements show Allotropy The Heavier Elements have
Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth The Common Oxidation States of vacant d Orbital in the outermost
are Found mainly as Sulphide these Elements are –3, +3 and +5. shell which can be used for
Minerals. The Tendency to exhibit –3 bonding (Covalency) and Hence,
The S Orbital in these Elements is Oxidation State Decreases down Expand their covalence as in
−¿¿
completely Filled and P Orbital The group due to Increase in Size P F6
are Half-Filled, making their and Metallic character. Nitrogen Differs from the rest of
Electronic configuration Extra The stability of +5 oxidation state the members of this group due to
Stable Decreases Down the group. its Small size, High Electro
Covalent and Ionic radii Increase The only compound of Bi (V) is
Negativity , High Ionization
in size down the group Enthalpy and Non-Availability of
BiF5 .
As to Bi only a Small Increase in d Orbital
covalent radius is observed. Nitrogen has unique ability to
form pπ-pπ Multiple bonds with
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
itself and with other Elements The reducing character of the In case of Nitrogen, only NF3 is
having small size and High Hydrides increases. known to be Stable.
Electro Negativity (C, O). Ammonia is only a Mild Tri Halides Except BiF3 are
Heavier elements of this group Reducing agent while BiH3 is the Predominantly Covalent in nature
do not form pπ-pπ bonds as their Strongest reducing agent amongst Reactivity Towards metals:
Atomic orbitals are so large and all the Hydrides.
All these Elements react with
diffuse that they cannot have Basicity also Decreases in the metals to form their Binary
Effective overlapping order NH3 > PH3 > AsH3 > SbH3 compounds Exhibiting –3
Nitrogen Exists as a diatomic > BiH3 oxidation state
molecule with a Triple bond Reactivity Towards Oxygen Ca3N2 (calcium Nitride) , Ca3P2
Phosphorus,arsenic and antimony All Elements form Two types of (calcium Phosphide), Na3As2
form Single bonds oxides: E2O3 and E2O5 . (sodium Arsenide), Zn3Sb2 (zinc
Bismuth forms metallic bonds in The oxide in the Higher oxidation Antimonide) and Mg3Bi2
Elemental state state of the Element is more (magnesium Bismuthide)
the single N–N bond is weaker acidic than that of Lower GROUP - 16
than the single P–P bond because oxidation state. Oxygen, Sulphur, Selenium,
of High Inter Electronic repulsion Their acidic character Decreases Tellurium and Polonium
of the non-bonding electrons, down the group. Chalcogens
owing to the small bond length The oxides of the type E2O3 of The Name is derived from the
As a result the Catenation Nitrogen and Phosphorus are Greek word for Brass and points
Tendency is weaker in Nitrogen purely acidic to the association Sulphur and its
Nitrogen cannot form dπ –pπ Arsenic and antimony congeners with copper.
bond as the Heavier Elements can Amphoteric Most Copper minerals contain
R3P = O or R3P = CH2 (R = Alkyl Bismuth is basic. Either Oxygen or sulphur and
group).
Reactivity Towards Halogens Frequently the other members of
Phosphorus and arsenic can form the group
These Elements react to form two
dπ –dπ bond also with Transition series of halides: EX3 and EX5. Occurrence
metals when their compounds Nitrogen does not form Oxygen is the Most abundant of
like P(C2H5 )3 and As(C6H5 )3 act PentaHalide due to Non- all the Elements on Earth.
as Ligands Availability of the d orbitals in its Oxygen Forms about 46.6% by
Reactivity Towards Hydrogen valence shell. Mass of Earth’s crust.
All the Elements of Group 15 Penta Halides are more Covalent Dry air contains 20.946% oxygen
form Hydrides of the type EH3 Than Tri Halides. by volume
The stability of Hydrides All the Tri Halides of these The abundance of Sulphur in the
decreases from NH3 to BiH3 Elements Except those of Earth’s crust is only 0.03-0.1%.
which can be observed from their Nitrogen are Stable. Combined Sulphur Exists
bond dissociation Enthalpy primarily as Sulphates such as
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
gypsum - CaSO4 .2H2O, Next to Fluorine, Oxygen has the Since Electronegativity of
Epsom Salt - MgSO4.7H2O, Highest Electronegativity value Oxygen is very High, it shows
amongst the Elements. only Negative oxidation state as –
Baryte - BaSO4
Down The group 2 Except
Sulphides such as
Electronegativity decreases with In the case of OF2 where its
galena - PbS oxidation State is + 2.
an increase in atomic number.
zinc blende – ZnS Other Elements of the group
This implies That the Metallic
Copper Pyrites - CuFeS2 . character increases from oxygen Exhibit + 2, + 4, + 6 oxidation
Traces of Sulphur occur as to polonium states but + 4 and + 6 are more
Hydrogen Sulphide in volcanoes. Physical Properties common.
Organic materials such as Eggs, Oxygen and Sulphur are Non- Sulphur, selenium and Tellurium
Proteins, garlic, onion, mustard, Metals, Selenium and Tellurium usually show + 4 oxidation state
hair and wool contain Sulphur Metalloids, and Polonium is a in their compounds with oxygen
Selenium and Tellurium are also Metal. and + 6 with Fluorine.
Found as Metal Selenides and Polonium is radioactive and is The stability of + 6 oxidation
Tellurides in Sulphide ores. short lived (Half-life 13.8 days). state decreases down the group
Polonium occurs in nature as a and stability of + 4 oxidation
All these Elements Exhibit
decay product of Thorium and state increases (inert pair effect).
allotropy.
Uranium minerals Bonding in +4 and +6 oxidation
The Melting and Boiling points
Electronic Configuration states is Primarily Covalent
increase with an increase in
The Elements of Group16 have atomic number down the group. Anomalous Behaviour of oxygen
Six Electrons in the outermost The large difference between the Effects of small size and High
shell and have ns2np4 general Melting and Boiling points of Electronegativity is the Presence
Electronic configuration Oxygen and Sulphur may be of strong Hydrogen bonding in
Atomic and Ionic Radii Explained on the basis of their H2O which is Not Found in H2S
Due to increase in the number of Atomicity The absence of d orbitals in
shells, atomic and ionic radii Oxygen Exists as diatomic Oxygen limits its Covalency to
increase from Top to bottom in molecule (O2 ) whereas sulphur Four
the group. Exists as polyatomic molecule Reactivity with Hydrogen
The size of Oxygen atom is, (S8) All the Elements of Group 16
However, Exceptionally small Chemical Properties Form Hydrides of the Type H2E
Ionisation Enthalpy Oxidation states (E = O, S, Se, Te, Po)
Ionisation Enthalpy decreases The stability of - 2 oxidation state Their acidic character increases
down the group. decreases down the group. from H2O to H2Te.
It is due to increase in size Polonium Hardly shows – 2 The increase in acidic character
oxidation state. can be Explained in Terms of
Electronegativity
decrease in bond Enthalpy for the
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
dissociation of H–E bond down All Hexa Fluorides are gaseous in The Halogens are Highly reactive
the group nature. Non-Metallic Elements.
The Thermal Stability of They have Octahedral structure. Occurrence
Hydrides also decreases From SF6 is Exceptionally Sable for Fluorine and Chlorine are Fairly
H2O to H2Po. Steric reasons abundant while Bromine and
All the Hydrides Except water Amongst Tetra Fluorides, SF4 is a Iodine less so.
possess reducing property and gas, SeF4 a Liquid and TeF4 a Fluorine is Present mainly as
this character increases from H2S solid. Insoluble Fluorides (Fluorspar
to H2Te. CaF2 , Cryolite Na3AlF6 and
These Fluorides have sp3d
Reactivity with Oxygen: Fluoroapatite 3Ca3 (PO4)2 .CaF2 )
Hybridisation and Have Trigonal
All these Elements Form Oxides Bipyramidal structures in which Small quantities are Present in
of the EO2 and EO3 types where E one of the Equatorial positions is soil, river water plants and bones
= S, Se, Te or Po. occupied by a lone pair of and Teeth of animals.
Ozone (O3) and Sulphur Dioxide Electrons. Sea water contains Chlorides,
(SO2) are gases while Selenium This geometry is also regarded as Bromides and Iodides of sodium,
dioxide (SeO2) is Solid. see-saw geometry Potassium, Magnesium and
Reducing property of Dioxide All Elements Except Oxygen Calcium, But is mainly sodium
decreases from SO2 to TeO2 Form Dichlorides and chloride solution (2.5% by mass).
SO2 is reducing while TeO2 is an Dibromides. The deposits of dried up seas
Oxidising agent. These Dihalides are Formed by contain these compounds, sodium
Besides EO2 Type, Sulphur, sp3 hybridisation and have chloride and Carnallite,
Selenium and Tellurium also Tetrahedral Structure. KCl.MgCl2 .6H2O.
Form EO3 type oxides (SO3, The well known Monohalides are Certain forms of Marine Life
SeO3, TeO3). Dimeric in nature contain Iodine in their systems;
Both Types of oxides are acidic S2F2 , S2Cl2 , S2Br2 , Se2Cl2 and various seaweeds Contain upto
in nature. Se2Br2 0.5% of iodine and Chile saltpetre
Reactivity Towards the Halogens Dimeric Halides undergo contains upto 0.2% of sodium
Elements of Group 16 form a disproportionation iodate
Large number of Halides of the Atomic and Ionic Radii
2Se2Cl2 → SeCl4 + 3Se
Type, EX6 , EX4 and EX2 where E
GROUP - 17 The Halogens Have the smallest
is an Element of the group and X atomic radii in their respective
Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine,
is a halogen. Periods Due to Maximum
Iodine and Astatine These are
The Stability of the Halides Effective nuclear charge.
collectively known as the
decreases in the order F– > Cl– >
Halogens (Greek Halo means salt Atomic and ionic radii Increase
Br– > I– . From Fluorine to iodine due to
and genes means born - Salt
Amongst Hexa Halides, Hexa Producers). increasing Number of quantum
Fluorides are the only stable shells
Halides.
P BLOCK ELEMENTS
Cl2 + 2X– → 2Cl– + X2 (X = Br and strong bond formed by it with Both are Strong Fluorinating
or I) other Elements). agents.
Br2 + 2I– → 2Br– + I2 It Forms only one Oxoacid while O2F2 oxidises Plutonium to PuF6
The Decreasing Oxidising ability other Halogens form a Number of and the reaction is used in
of the Halogens in aqueous Oxoacids. removing Plutonium as PuF6
solution down the group is Hydrogen Fluoride is a liquid From spent Nuclear Fuel.
Evident From Their Standard (B.P. 293 K) due to strong Chlorine, Bromine and iodine
Electrode potentials Hydrogen bonding. Form oxides in which the
The relative Oxidising power of Other Hydrogen Halides are Oxidation States of These
Halogens can Further be gases Halogens range from +1 to +7.
illustrated by their reactions with Reactivity Towards Hydrogen A combination of Kinetic and
water. They all react with Hydrogen to Thermodynamic Factors lead to
Fluorine oxidises water to oxygen give Hydrogen Halides but the generally Decreasing order of
whereas chlorine and Bromine affinity for Hydrogen decreases stability of oxides Formed by
react with water to Form From Fluorine to iodine. Halogens, I > Cl > Br.
corresponding Hydrohalic and Hydrogen Halides dissolve in The Higher oxides of Halogens
Hypohalous acids. water to Form Hydrohalic acids. Tend to be More Stable Than the
The reaction of iodine with water The acidic Strength of These lower ones.
is Non Spontaneous. acids varies in the order: HF < Chlorine oxides, Cl2O, ClO2,
I– can be oxidised by Oxygen in HCl < HBr < HI. Cl2O6 and Cl2O7 are Highly
reactive Oxidising Agents and
acidic medium The Stability of These Halides
Tend to Explode.
The reverse of the reaction decreases down the group due to
observed with Fluorine. decrease in bond (H–X) ClO2 is used as a Bleaching agent
Dissociation Enthalpy in the for Paper Pulp and Textiles and in
2F2 + 2H2O → 4H+ + 4F- + O2
order: H–F > H–Cl > H–Br > H–I water Treatment.
X2 + H2O → HX + HOX (X = Cl,
Reactivity Towards Oxygen The Bromine oxides, Br2O,
Br )
Halogens Form many Oxides BrO2 , BrO3 are the Least Stable
4I- + 4H+ + O2 → 2I2 + 2H2O
with Oxygen but most of them Halogen oxides and Exist only at
Anomalous Behaviour of Low Temperatures.
are Unstable.
Fluorine
Fluorine Forms two oxides OF2 They are very Powerful Oxidising
The Anomalous Behaviour of agents.
and O2F2 .
Fluorine is due to its Small Size,
OF2 is Thermally stable at 298 K. The iodine oxides, I2O4 , I2O5 ,
Highest Electronegativity, low F-
I2O7 are Insoluble Solids and
F Bond Dissociation Enthalpy, These oxides are Essentially
decompose on Heating.
and Non availability of d orbitals Oxygen Fluorides because of the
Higher Electronegativity of I2O5 is a very good Oxidising
in valence shell.
Fluorine Than oxygen. agent and is used in the
Most of the reactions of Fluorine
Estimation of Carbon Monoxide
are Exothermic (due to the small
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Reactivity Towards Metals: Helium and sometimes Neon are They are colourless, odourless
Halogens react with Metals to Found in minerals of Radioactive and Tasteless.
Form Metal Halides. origin They are Sparingly soluble in
Bromine reacts with Magnesium In Pitchblende, Monazite, water.
to give Magnesium Bromide. cleveite. They have very low Melting and
Mg + Br2 MgBr2 The main commercial source of Boiling Points because the only
Helium is Natural gas. Type of Interatomic Interaction in
The ionic character of the Halides
Xenon and radon are the rarest these Elements is weak
Decreases in the order MF > MCl
Elements of the group. Dispersion Forces.
> MBr > MI where M is a
Monovalent metal. Radon is obtained as a decay Helium has the Lowest Boiling
product of 226Ra. Point (4.2 K) of any known
If a Metal Exhibits More Than
one Oxidation State, The Halides Ra → 226Rn + 4He
226 substance.
in Higher Oxidation state will be Electronic Configuration It has an unusual Property of
More Covalent Than the one in All Noble gases Have general Diffusing Through most
Lower oxidation state. Electronic configuration ns2 np6 commonly used Laboratory
SnCl4 , PbCl4 , SbCl5 and UF6 are Except Helium which has 1s2 materials such as rubber, glass or
plastics.
More Covalent than SnCl2 , PbCl2 Inactive Nature are ascribed to
, SbCl3 and UF4 Their Closed shell structures
Reactivity of Halogens towards Ionisation Enthalpy
other Halogens: Due to stable Electronic
Halogens combine amongst configuration these gases Exhibit
Themselves to Form a number of very High Ionisation Enthalpy.
compounds known as Inter It decreases down the group with
Halogens of the Types XX ′ , increase in atomic size
XX3 ′ , XX5 ′ and XX7 ′ where X Atomic Radii
is a Larger size Halogen and X′ is It increases down the group with
Smaller Size Halogen increase in atomic Number
GROUP – 18 Electron Gain Enthalpy
Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Since Noble gases have stable
Xenon and Radon. Electronic configurations, They
All are gases and Unreactive have No Tendency to accept the
All the Noble gases Except radon Electron and Have Large Positive
occur in the atmosphere. values of Electron gain Enthalpy
Physical Properties
Their atmospheric abundance in
Dry air is ~ 1% by volume of All the Noble gases are
which Argon is the Major Monoatomic.
constituent.