6.6: Trends for the Oxides of the Group 13 Elements
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- 212649
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All of the Group 13 elements form a trivalent oxide (M2O3). The chemical properties of the oxides follow the trend acidic to basic going down the Group (Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)). The physical properties are consistent with the electronegativities and covalent character in the M-O bonds. Thallium oxide is unique in that it decomposes above 100 °C to yield the thalium(I) oxide, Tl2O. The other oxides are all stable to high temperatures.
Oxide | Color | Chemical property | Melting point (°C) |
---|---|---|---|
B2O3 | White/colorless | Weak acid | 450 (trigonal), 510 (tetrahedral) |
Al2O3 | White/colorless | Amphoteric | 2072 (α) |
Ga2O3 | White/colorless | Amphoteric | 1900 (α), 1725 (β) |
In2O3 | Yellow | Weakly basic | 1910 |
Tl2O3 | Brown-black | Basic, oxidizing | 100 (decomposes) |
Bibliography
- G. E. Jellison, Jr., L. W. Panek, P. J. Bray, and G. B. Rouse, Jr., J. Chem. Phys., 1977, 66, 802.