Inorganic chemistryLesson 2 of 6 in the course Representative Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals

Metalloids: Structures, Bonding, and Chemistry of Boron, Silicon, and Heavier Elements

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Metalloids occupy a transition zone between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table. Their intermediate properties help explain both their distinctive crystal structures and their importance in materials and technology.

The six metalloids discussed here are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium. They lie between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table and show properties that are intermediate rather than entirely metallic or nonmetallic.

All flashcards

What is a metalloid?
An element with a combination of metallic and nonmetallic properties.
What structure do crystalline boron forms build from?
Boron icosahedra: clusters with boron atoms at twelve corners.
What is zone refining used for?
Purifying silicon by moving a molten zone that carries impurities toward one end.
How does silicon dioxide differ structurally from carbon dioxide?
Solid silicon dioxide is a continuous covalent network; carbon dioxide consists of discrete molecules.
What are tellurides?
Compounds containing tellurium as the anion Te2−Te^{2-}.

Quiz questions

  1. What geometry do boron trihalide molecules such as BF3BF_3 have, and what Lewis behavior do they show?Answer: Trigonal planar geometry; they accept electron pairs as Lewis acids.
  2. During zone refining of silicon, what happens to many impurities as the molten region moves?Answer: They dissolve preferentially in the liquid zone and move with it.
  3. Which statement correctly compares solid silica with carbon dioxide?Answer: Silica is a covalent network solid, whereas carbon dioxide is molecular.
  4. How does antimony's metallic character compare with arsenic's?Answer: Antimony is more metallic, consistent with metallic character increasing down group 15.
  5. Which oxidation states are commonly shown by tellurium in its compounds?Answer: +2 and +4.

Based on Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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