Telluride (chemistry)
Encyclopedia
The telluride ion
is Te2−. It is the final stable member of the series of dianions O
2−, S
2−, and Se
2− (see chalcogenide
).
Tellurides also describe a class of compounds formally derived from Te2−; i.e., their electronic structure is reasonably well approximated by considering the tellurium atom as having an octet configuration. Using this approach, Ag2Te is derived from Ag+.
Examples:
See category for a list.
, Te2− exists only at high pH. In neutral conditions, hydrogen telluride ion, HTe−, is prevalent. In acid conditions, hydrogen telluride
, H2Te, forms. Products of three reaction products with tellurium have economic importance: cadmium, bismuth, and lead. Cadmium telluride has photovoltaic activity, while bismuth and lead tellurides are exceptional thermoelectric materials.
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
is Te2−. It is the final stable member of the series of dianions O
Oxide
An oxide is a chemical compound that contains at least one oxygen atom in its chemical formula. Metal oxides typically contain an anion of oxygen in the oxidation state of −2....
2−, S
Sulfide
A sulfide is an anion of sulfur in its lowest oxidation state of 2-. Sulfide is also a slightly archaic term for thioethers, a common type of organosulfur compound that are well known for their bad odors.- Properties :...
2−, and Se
Selenide
A selenide is a chemical compound in which selenium serves as an anion with oxidation number of −2 , much as sulfur does in a sulfide. The chemistry of the selenides and sulfides are similar....
2− (see chalcogenide
Chalcogenide
A chalcogenide is a chemical compound consisting of at least one chalcogen ion and at least one more electropositive element. Although all group 16 elements of the periodic table are defined as chalcogens, the term is more commonly reserved for sulfides, selenides, and tellurides, rather than...
).
Tellurides also describe a class of compounds formally derived from Te2−; i.e., their electronic structure is reasonably well approximated by considering the tellurium atom as having an octet configuration. Using this approach, Ag2Te is derived from Ag+.
Examples:
- hydrogen tellurideHydrogen tellurideHydrogen telluride is the inorganic compound with the formula H2Te. The simplest hydride of tellurium, it is rarely encountered because of it decomposes rapidly to the constituent elements. Most compounds with Te-H bonds are unstable with respect to loss of H2. H2Te is chemically and structurally...
, H2Te - sodium tellurideSodium tellurideSodium telluride is the chemical compound with the formula Na2Te. This salt is the conjugate base of the thermally unstable acid hydrogen telluride, but it is usually prepared by reduction of tellurium with sodium. Na2Te is a challenging material to handle because it is very sensitive to air...
, Na2Te
See category for a list.
Discussion
In aqueous solutionAqueous solution
An aqueous solution is a solution in which the solvent is water. It is usually shown in chemical equations by appending aq to the relevant formula, such as NaCl. The word aqueous means pertaining to, related to, similar to, or dissolved in water...
, Te2− exists only at high pH. In neutral conditions, hydrogen telluride ion, HTe−, is prevalent. In acid conditions, hydrogen telluride
Hydrogen telluride
Hydrogen telluride is the inorganic compound with the formula H2Te. The simplest hydride of tellurium, it is rarely encountered because of it decomposes rapidly to the constituent elements. Most compounds with Te-H bonds are unstable with respect to loss of H2. H2Te is chemically and structurally...
, H2Te, forms. Products of three reaction products with tellurium have economic importance: cadmium, bismuth, and lead. Cadmium telluride has photovoltaic activity, while bismuth and lead tellurides are exceptional thermoelectric materials.