Main Group Chem Flashcards
Sc (Scandium)
Common OS = 0, +3
Similar chem to Mg
No d-electrons in ions; colorless and diamagnetic
Ti (Titanium)
Common OS = 0, +4 Similar to C and Si Structurally strong, very light weight metal Great for bike frames, airplanes TiO2 is very white, used as brightener
V (Vanadium)
Common OS = 0, +5
Used in alloys to strengthen metal (steel)
Toxic!
Nb (Niobium) and Ta (Tantalum)
Named after Greek myth daughter and father
Nb is a material of interest for superconductors
Cr (Chromium)
Common OS = 0, +3, +4, +6
First family with multiple OS found in nature
Name derived from the greek word for color (chroma)
Toxic!
Mo (Molybdenum) and W (Tungsten)
Biologically important for enxymes, pigments
W has very high melting point
Used for light bulb filaments, heat lamps
Mn (Manganese)
Has most OS states of first row transition metals
Not found in nature as pure metal, always in ore
Used as a catalyst, in alkaline batteries, strengtehning component in steel and as cofactors to many enzymes
Paramanganates are very strong oxidizing agents!
Tc (Technetium)
Lightest radioactive element (a beta emitter)
Only man made
Discovered in 1937
Fe (Iron)
Possible OS = +2 to +6; common OS: +2, +3
Most important element for modern civilization bc major component of steel
Most common element on earth by mass
Biological importance for oxygen transport in vertebrates, redox enzymes in plants & animals
Co (Cobalt)
Beautiful blue color for glass, dyes
Rare to find pure, more common in ores (toxic and smelly biproducts). Known as “golin” ore, “kobold” in german
Rh (Rhodium)
Hard, corrosion resistant, chemically inert, very rare, excellent metal for plating jewelry
Ir (Iridium)
Rare, much of it comes from outer space. Archeologists use Ir as tracer to develop and support theories about when asteroids hit Earth.
Ni (Nickel)
Stable, less reactive metals, good catalyst
applications: coins, batteries, corosion preventer
Pt (Platinum)
Stable, less reactive metals, good catalyst; rare, very unreactive, corrosion resistant. Applications: inert electrodes, jewelry, anti-cancer drugs
Pd (Palladium)
Stable, less reactive metals, good catalyst
Cu (Copper)
Excellent conductor of electricity, dura.ble
Alloys: Cu/Sn (Bronze), Cu/Zn (Brass)
Ag (Silver)
Highest thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and reflectivity.
More abundant than Au
Tarnishes from contact with sulfur
Au (gold)
Very unreactive, even to most acids
most malleable metal
used for jewelry, currency, etc
Zn (Zinc)
Corrosion resistant. Toxic!
Cd (Cadmium)
Toxic. Common OS: +2
used in batteries
Hg (Mercury)
Only metal that is liquid at room temperature, also toxic (dose); application: dental fillings
Atomic radius
Increases down column; decreases left to right across row
Electronegativity
Decreases down column; increases left to right across a row
Metallic Character
increases down column, decreases left to right across a table
Lightest element
in each family it’s the smallest in atomic radius, has different chemistry from rest of family.
Alkali Metals
Highly reactive, group one. OS: +1React to make H2 gas.
Li
important to current battery tech; react with oxygen to form oxides, peroxides, and superoxides
H
lightest element; escapes from earth’s gravity; small, low IMF, lightest at 20K; non-metal; location is debatable; applications: rocket fuel
