3.4.2
Reactions of Halogens
Reactive Trends of the Halogens
Reactive Trends of the Halogens
The redox abilities of the halogens change within the group and these can be used to identify the halide ions.


Oxidation reactions
Oxidation reactions
- Oxidation is the loss of electrons (remember OIL RIG).
- Fluorine is the most oxidising element because it is the most electronegative.
- An oxidising element is itself reduced.
- The trend in oxidising ability follows the trend in electronegativity - it decreases down the group.
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Reduction reactions
Reduction reactions
- Reduction is the opposite of oxidation - it is the gain of electrons.
- So the trend in reducing ability is the reverse of the trend in oxidising ability.
- Iodide ions are the most reducing.
- Fluoride ions are not reducing at all.


Halide displacement reactions
Halide displacement reactions
- If an elemental halogen is added to a halide solution, the heavier halide will be displaced.
- This is because the lighter halide has a greater preference to be the halide ion because it is more electronegative.
- E.g. If you add Cl2(g) to a solution of NaBr, the chlorine will displace the bromine as a gas.


Reactions with sulfuric acid
Reactions with sulfuric acid
- Halides react differently with sulfuric acid depending on their reducing ability:
- Reaction with a fluoride or chloride produces HCl or HF.
- Reaction with a bromide produces some Br2 and some SO2.
- Reaction with an iodide produces I2 immediately and will reduce the sulfur to H2S - a toxic molecule that smells like eggs.
Identification of Halides
Identification of Halides
We can determine which halide ion is present through specific reactions.


Reaction with silver nitrate
Reaction with silver nitrate
- If we add silver nitrate to a solution of halide ions, the halides will react with the silver cations:
- Ag+(aq) + X−(aq) → AgX(s)


Test results
Test results
- The product of the silver nitrate reaction is a solid.
- We call this solid the precipitate.
- The colour of this solid depends on what halide is involved:
- AgCl → white precipitate.
- AgBr → cream precipitate.
- AgI → yellow precipitate.


Further testing
Further testing
- Using the silver halide product, we can test that their ability to redissolve in ammonia is as expected.
- AgCl should redissolve.
- AgBr should redissolve slowly and needs a lot of ammonia.
- AgI should NOT dissolve.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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