What Are Some Common Reactions Of Sodium Telluride?

Sodium telluride (Na2Te) is a highly reactive inorganic compound that is commonly used as a precursor for the synthesis of other tellurium-containing compounds. Some of the common reactions of sodium telluride include:

1. Reaction with acids: Sodium telluride reacts vigorously with acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and nitric acid (HNO3) to produce tellurium dioxide (TeO2) and hydrogen gas (H2).

2. Redox reactions: Sodium telluride can undergo redox reactions with various oxidizing agents such as chlorine (Cl2), bromine (Br2), and iodine (I2) to form tellurium (Te) and the corresponding metal halides.

3. Precipitation reactions: Sodium telluride can be used as a reducing agent to precipitate metals from their solutions. For example, when sodium telluride is added to a solution containing silver ions (Ag+), it reduces Ag+ to form silver particles that precipitate out of the solution.

4. Synthesis of tellurium-containing compounds: Sodium telluride is often used as a precursor for the synthesis of other tellurium-containing compounds such as tellurium nanowires, tellurium nanoparticles, and tellurium-based semiconductors.

Overall, sodium telluride's reactivity makes it useful in a variety of chemical reactions, but it should be handled with care due to its potential hazards.