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Chemistry · Ch 7 — Elements of Groups 16, 17 and 18

Reactivity towards metals

7.6.5

Reactivity towards metals

i. Group 16 elements : Elements of group 16 react with metals to form the corresponding compounds. For example:

4Al+3O2⟶2Al2O3\mathrm{4Al + 3O_2 \longrightarrow 2Al_2O_3}

Cu+S⟶CuS\mathrm{Cu + S \longrightarrow CuS}

Mg+Se⟶MgSe (magnesium selenide)\mathrm{Mg + Se \longrightarrow MgSe}\ \text{(magnesium selenide)}

Note

Do you know ? Tellurium has the unusual property of combining with gold metal to form a telluride: 2Au+3Te⟶Au2Te3\mathrm{2Au + 3Te \longrightarrow Au_2Te_3} (gold telluride).

Note

Internet my friend — the book points the curious reader at www.chemistry.explained.com for further exploration of this chemistry.

ii. Group 17 elements : Elements of group 17 (halogens) react with metals instantly to give metal halides. For example:

2Na (s)+Cl2 (g)⟶2NaCl (s)\mathrm{2Na\,(s) + Cl_2\,(g) \longrightarrow 2NaCl\,(s)}

Mg (s)+Br2 (l)⟶MgBr2 (s) (magnesium bromide)\mathrm{Mg\,(s) + Br_2\,({\it l}) \longrightarrow MgBr_2\,(s)}\ \text{(magnesium bromide)} …

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