Properties

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Physical Properties

o   Physical Characteristics: Metalloid tellurium is a solid at room temperature and is silvery white with a metallic luster. It is a very brittle semi-metal and is a semiconductor. Tellurium is a relatively rare element and it should be generally avoided, as it is toxic and causes bad (garlic-like) body odor.

o  Crystal Structure: Tellurium is a hexagonal crystal.

o  Atomic Structure: Tellurium is metalloid with 5 shells, 52 electrons, 52 protons, and 76 neutrons. The number of electrons per energy level is: 2, 8,18,18, 6. Tellurium's electron configuration is: 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶1s²5s²4d¹⁰5p⁴.

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• Chemical Properties

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o   Reaction Tendencies: Tellurium burns readily with oxygen to form tellurium dioxide, but does not react with water or hydrochloric acid. When combined with nitric acid, tellurium dissolves to form H₂TeO₃. Tellurium reacts readily to form several types of fluorides, chlorides, bromides, iodides, and oxides. See below equations and table for examples.

Tellurium tetrachloride, TeCl₄: Te⁴⁺ + 4Cl^- --> TeCl₄

Tellurium trioxide, TeO₃: Te⁶⁺ + 3O^2- --> TeO₃

Tellurium dichloride, TeCl₂: Te²⁺ + 2Cl^- --> TeCl₂

Tellurium monoxide, TeO: Te²⁺ + O^2- --> TeO

Hydrogen telluride, H₂Te: 2H⁺ + Te^2- --> H₂Te

Aluminum telluride, Al₂Te₃: 2Al³⁺ + 3Te^2- --> Al₂Te₃

Sodium telluride, Na₂Te: 2Na⁺ + Te^2- --> Na₂Te

o Common Compounds: see above equations, table, and compounds & uses page

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Biological Properties

o   Biological Role: Tellurium has no biological role, as it is toxic and teratogenic (can harm embryos). Only experienced chemists should handle tellurium and should take great caution. (see Interesting Facts for Tellurium's effects on the body)