Periodic Relationship

39 among the Oxides of

the Elements Li to Cl
39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3
Elements
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3
Elements in Water, Dilute Acids and
Dilute Alkalis

1 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

 39.1
Bonding of the
Oxides of Periods 2
and 3 Elements

2 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.19)

Introduction
• The electronegativity value of oxygen is
3.5

3 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.19)

Introduction
• When oxygen combines with elements
having low electronegativity values (e.g.
metals)
 the oxygen atoms would gain the
electrons from the elements
 to form oxide ions

4 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.19)

Introduction
• The compounds formed consist of
 positive ions formed the
electropositive elements
 negative oxide ions
• These oxides are ionic oxides

5 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.19)

Introduction
• When oxygen combines with elements of
similar electronegativity values
 the oxygen atoms would share
electrons with these elements
 to form covalent oxides

6 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.19)

Nature of Bonding
• The oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
can be classified into
 ionic oxides
 ionic oxides with high covalent
character
 covalent oxides

7 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20)

Periodicity in nature of bonding of the oxides of Periods 2

and 3 elements
N2O
Oxide of NO
CO O2
Period 2 Li2O BeO B2O3 NO2 OF2
element CO2 O3
N2O4
N2O5

Nature of Ionic with

bonding in Ionic covalent Covalent
the oxides character

Oxide of Na2O P4O6 SO2 Cl2O

Period 3 MgO Al2O3 SiO2
element Na2O2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7

Nature of Ionic with

bonding in Ionic covalent Covalent
the oxides character

8 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20)

Nature of Bonding
• Going across a period from left to right,
the nature of bonding of the oxides
changes from
 ionic bonding
 ionic bonding with covalent character
 covalent bonding

9 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20)

Nature of Bonding
• A number of elements in Periods 2 and 3
form more than one oxide with oxygen
• Example:
Sodium is a reactive metal
 can form the normal oxide and
peroxide with oxygen

10 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20)

Nature of Bonding
• Elements with electronegativity values
similar to oxygen also form a variety of
oxides

11 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Lithium Lithium Li2O

oxide

Beryllium Beryllium BeO

oxide

Boron Boron oxide B2O3

12 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.20 – 21 )

Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures

of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements

Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure

Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Carbon Carbon CO
monoxide

Carbon CO2
dioxide

Nitrogen Dinitrogen N2O

oxide

Nitrogen NO
monoxide

13 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.21)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Nitrogen Nitrogen NO2

dioxide

Dinitrogen N2O4
tetraoxide

Dinitrogen N2O5
pentaoxide

14 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.21)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Oxygen Oxygen O2

Ozone O3

Fluorine Oxygen OF2

difluoride

Sodium Sodium Na2O

monoxide

Sodium Na2O2
peroxide

15 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.21)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Magnesium Magnesium MgO

oxide

Aluminium Aluminium Al2O3

oxide

Silicon Silicon(IV) SiO2

oxide

16 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.22)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Phosphorus Phosphorus P4O6

(III) oxide

Phosphorus P4O10
(V) oxide

17 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.22)

Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures

of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements
Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure
Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Sulphur Sulphur SO2

dioxide

Sulphur SO3
trioxide

18 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.22)
Names, stoichiometric composition and electronic structures
of oxides of Periods 2 and 3 elements

Name of Stoichiometric Electronic structure

Element oxide of composition of
element oxide of element of oxide of element

Chlorine Chlorine(I) Cl2O

oxide
(dichlorine
oxide)

Chlorine(VII) Cl2O7
oxide
(dichlorine
heptaoxide)

Check Point 39-1

19 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
 39.2
Behaviour of Oxides of
Periods 2 and 3 Elements
in Water, Dilute Acids and
Dilute Alkalis
20 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Generally react with water to form
hydroxides
• As hydroxides are basic oxides
 they neutralize with dilute acids to
form salts
• Do not react with dilute alkalis

21 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Lithium oxide
 reacts vigorously with water to form
lithium hydroxide
Li2O(s) + H2O(l)  2LiOH(aq)

22 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Sodium monoxide
 reacts vigorously with water to form
sodium hydroxide
Na2O(s) + H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq)

23 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Sodium peroxide
 reacts with water to give sodium
hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide
Na2O2(s) + 2H2O(l)
 2NaOH(aq) + H2O2(aq)

24 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Magnesium oxide
 less basic
 reacts slightly with cold water and
moderately with hot water to form
magnesium hydroxide, which is very
slightly soluble

25 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• Magnesium oxide
 Magnesium hydroxide solution is a
weakly alkaline solution
MgO(s) + H2O(l)  Mg(OH)2(s)

26 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• All ionic oxides react with dilute acids to
form salts

27 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides
• The reactions can be summarized by the
following ionic equations:
Li2O(s) + 2H+(aq)  2Li+(aq) + H2O(l)
Na2O(s) + 2H+(aq)  2Na+(aq) + H2O(l)
Na2O2(s) + 2H+(aq)
 2Na+(aq) + H2O2(aq)
MgO(s) + 2H+(aq)  Mg2+(aq) + H2O(l)
28 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides with High

Covalent Character
• Beryllium oxide and aluminium oxide
 ionic oxides with high covalent
character
 not soluble in water

29 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides with High

Covalent Character
• Beryllium oxide and aluminium oxide
 react with both dilute acids and dilute
alkalis to form soluble compounds
 amphoteric oxides

30 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides with High

Covalent Character
• Beryllium oxide and aluminium oxide
BeO(s) + 2H+(aq)  Be2+(aq) + H2O(l)
BeO(s) + 2OH–(aq) + H2O(l)
 [Be(OH) 4]2–(aq)
beryllate ion

31 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.23)

Ionic Oxides with High

Covalent Character
• Beryllium oxide and aluminium oxide
Al2O3(s) + 6H+(aq)
 2Al3+(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Al2O3(s) + 2OH–(aq) + 3H2O(l)
 2[Al(OH)4]–(aq)
aluminate ion

32 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

Covalent Oxides
• Some covalent oxides that are soluble in
water
 react with water to form acids
 react with dilute alkalis
 do not react with dilute acids

33 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Boron(III) oxide
 reacts with water to form boric(III)
acid
B2O3(s) + 3H2O(l)  2H3BO3(s)

34 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Carbon monoxide
 neutral
 insoluble in water

35 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Carbon dioxide
 moderately soluble in cold water
 the solution formed is slightly acidic
CO2(g) + H2O(l)  H2CO3(aq)

36 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Dinitrogen oxide and nitrogen monoxide

 neutral
 insoluble in water

37 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Nitrogen dioxide
 reacts rapidly with cold water to give
a mixture of nitric(III) acid and nitric(V)
acid
2NO2(g) + H2O(l)
 HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)
nitric(III) acid nitric(V)acid
38 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Dinitrogen tetraoxide
 reacts with water to form nitric(III)
acid and nitric(V) acid
N2O4(g) + H2O(l)
 HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)

39 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Dinitrogen pentaoxide
 reacts with cold water to form nitric(V)
acid
N2O5(s) + H2O(l)  2HNO3(aq)

40 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Oxygen
 neutral
 very slightly soluble in water

41 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Oxygen difluoride
 colourless gas
 hydrolyzes slowly to form oxygen gas
and hydrogen fluoride
OF2(g) + H2O(l)  2HF(aq) + O2(g)

42 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• The reactions can be summarized by the

following ionic equations:
B2O3(s) + 6OH–(aq)
 2BO33–(aq) + 3H2O(l)
CO2(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 CO32–(aq) + H2O(l)

43 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• The reactions can be summarized by the

following ionic equations:
2NO2(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 NO2–(aq) + NO3–(aq) + H2O(l)
N2O4(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 NO2–(aq) + NO3–(aq) + H2O(l)

44 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.24)

1. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 2

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• The reactions can be summarized by the

following ionic equations:
N2O5(s) + 2OH–(aq)
 2NO3–(aq) + H2O(l)
OF2(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 2F–(aq) + O2(g) + H2O(l)

45 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Silicon(IV) oxide
 does not react with water
 weakly acidic
 reacts with hot alkalis to form silicates(IV)
SiO2(s) + 2NaOH(aq)
 Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)
46 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Phosphorus(III) oxide
 reacts slowly with cold water to form
phosphoric(III) acid
P4O6(s) + 6H2O(l)  4H3PO3(aq)

47 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Phosphorus(V) oxide
 reacts vigorously with cold water to
form phosphoric(V) acid
P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l)  4H3PO4(aq)

48 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Sulphur dioxide
 react with water to form sulphuric(IV)
acid
SO2(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO3(aq)
sulphuric(IV) acid

49 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Sulphur trioxide
 react with water to form sulphuric(VI)
acid
SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)
sulphuric(VI) acid

50 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Chlorine(I) oxide
 dissolves in water to form chloric(I)
acid (also known as hypochlorus acid)
Cl2O(g) + H2O(l)  2HOCl(aq)
chloric(I) acid

51 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Chlorine(VII) oxide
 dissolves in water to form a very
strong acid called chloric(VII) acid
(also known as perchloric acid)
Cl2O7(l) + H2O(l)  2HClO4(aq)
chloric(VII) acid

52 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Ionic equations:
P4O6(s) + 12OH–(aq)
 4PO43–(aq) + 6H2O(l)
P4O10(s) + 12OH–(aq)
 4PO43–(aq) + 6H2O(l)

53 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Ionic equations:
SO2(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 SO32–(aq) + H2O(l)
SO3(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 SO42–(aq) + H2O(l)

54 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.25)

2. Behaviour of Covalent Oxides of Period 3

Elements in Water and Dilute Alkalis

• Ionic equations:
Cl2O(g) + 2OH–(aq)
 2OCl–(aq) + H2O(l)
Cl2O7(l) + 2OH–(aq)
 2ClO4–(aq) + H2O(l)

55 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.26)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 2
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
N2O
Oxide of NO
CO
Period 2 Li2O BeO B2O3 NO2 O2 OF2
element CO2
N2O4
N2O5

Reacts Does not Reacts CO: N2O and NO: Very Hydrolyzes
vigorously react with with water Insoluble Insoluble in slightly slowly to
with water water to form in water water soluble in form O2
to form H3BO3, CO2: NO2 and water, and an
LiOH which is a Moderately N2O4: React does not acidic
Behaviour very weak soluble in with water to react with solution of
of oxides acid water HF
water to form HNO2
in water
form and HNO3
H2CO3, N2O5: Reacts
which is a with cold
very weak water to form
56 acid HNO3
New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.26)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 2
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
N2O
Oxide of NO
CO
Period 2 Li2O BeO B2O3 NO2 O2 OF2
CO2
element N2O4
N2O5

Reacts to Reacts to Does not Do not Do not react Does not Does not
Behaviour form Li+ form Be2+ react with react with with dilute react with react with
of oxides dilute dilute acids dilute dilute
in dilute acids acids acids acids
acids

57 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.26)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 2
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
N2O
Oxide of NO
CO
Period 2 Li2O BeO B2O3 NO2 O2 OF2
CO2
element N2O4
N2O5

Does not Reacts to Reacts to CO: Does N2O and NO: Does not Reacts to
react with form form BO33– not react Do not react react with form F–
dilute [Be(OH)4]2 with dilute with dilute dilute and O2
–
alkalis alkalis alkalis alkalis
Behaviour CO2: NO2 and
of oxides Reacts to N2O4: React
in alkalis form CO32– to form NO2–
and NO3–
N2O5: Reacts
to form NO3–

58 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.26)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 2
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
N2O
Oxide of NO
CO
Period 2 Li2O BeO B2O3 NO2 O2 OF2
CO2
element N2O4
N2O5

Acidic/
basic
Alkaline Amphoteric Acidic Acidic Acidic Neutral Acidic
nature of
oxides

59 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 3
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
Oxide of
Na2O P4O6 SO2 Cl2O
Period 3 MgO Al2O3 SiO2
Na2O2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7
element

Na2O: Reacts Does not Does not P4O6: SO2: Cl2O:

Reacts slightly react with react with Reacts Reacts Dissolves
vigorously with cold water water slowly with with water in water to
with water water and cold water to form form HOCl
to form moderately to form H2SO3 Cl2O7:
Behaviour NaOH with hot H3PO3 SO3: Dissolves
of oxides in Na2O2: water to P4O10: Reacts in water to
water Reacts form a Reacts with water form
with water weakly vigorously to form HClO4
to form alkaline with cold H2SO4
NaOH and solution of water to
H2O2 Mg(OH)2 form
H3PO4
60 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 3
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
Oxide of
Na2O P4O6 SO2 Cl2O
Period 3 MgO Al2O3 SiO2
Na2O2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7
element

React to Reacts to Reacts to Does not Do not Do not Do not

Behaviour
form Na+ form Mg2+ form Al3+ react with react with react with react with
of oxides in
dilute dilute dilute dilute
dilute acids
acids acids acids acids

61 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 3
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
Oxide of
Na2O P4O6 SO2 Cl2O
Period 3 MgO Al2O3 SiO2
Na2O2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7
element

Do not Does not Reacts to Reacts P4O6: SO2: Cl2O:

react with react with form with hot Reacts Reacts to Reacts to
dilute dilute [Al(OH)4]– alkalis to slowly with form SO32– form OCl–
alkalis alkalis form cold water SO3: Cl2O7:
SiO32– to form Reacts to Reacts to
Behaviour
H3PO3 form SO42– form ClO4–
of oxides in
P4O10:
dilute
Reacts
alkalis
vigorously
with cold
water to
form
H3PO4

62 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)
Periodicity in the behaviour of oxides of Periods 3
elements in water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis
Oxide of
Na2O P4O6 SO2 Cl2O
Period 3 MgO Al2O3 SiO2
Na2O2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7
element

Acidic/
basic Weakly Weakly
Alkaline Amphoteric Acidic Neutral Acidic
nature of acidic acidic
oxides

Check Point 39-2

63 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

 The END

64 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.22)

(a) To which type of oxide does each of the following

oxides belong?
(i) Magnesium oxide
(ii) Nitrogen monoxide
(iii) Silicon dioxide
(iv) Aluminium oxide
Answer
(a) (i) Ionic oxide
(ii) Covalent oxide
(iii) Covalent oxide
(iv) Ionic oxide with covalent character
65 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4
39.1 Bonding of the Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements (SB p.22)

(b) Carbon can form two oxides. Name the two oxides and
draw their electronic structures.
Answer
(b) Carbon monoxide (CO):
Carbon dioxide (CO2):

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66 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)

(a) Why does silicon(IV) oxide not react with water?

Answer
(a) Silicon(IV) oxide does not react with water
because the electronegativity values of silicon
and oxygen are very similar. The Si — O bond
can be considered as nonpolar, so there is no
positive centre for the lone pair electrons of the
water molecule to attack.

67 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)

(b) Complete and balance the following equations:

(i) K2O(s) + H2O(l) 
(ii) Na2O2(s) + HCl(aq) 
(iii) Al2O3(s) + H2SO4(aq) 
(iv) P4O10(s) + NaOH(aq) 
(v) SO3(g) + NaOH(aq) 
Answer

68 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4

39.2 Behaviour of Oxides of Periods 2 and 3 Elements in Water, Dilute Acids
and Dilute Alkalis (SB p.27)

(b) (i) K2O(s) + H2O(l)  2KOH(aq)

(ii) Na2O2(s) + 2HCl(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + H2O2(aq)
(iii) Al2O3(s) + 3H2SO4(aq)  Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3H2O(l )
(iv) P4O10(s) + 12NaOH(aq)  4Na3PO4(aq) + 6H2O(l)
(v) SO3(g) + 2NaOH(aq)  Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)

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69 New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 4