Group 16 consist of 5 elements that are : Oxygen(O) Sulphur(S) Selenium(Se) Tellurium(Te) Polonium(Po)

This family is known as oxygen family.

Element

Atomic number Electronic configuration

Oxygen Sulphur Selenium Tellurium Polonium

8 16 34 52 84

[He] 2s2 2p4 [Ne] 3s2 3p4 [Ar] 3d10, 4s2 4p4 [Kr] 4d10, 5s2 5p4 [Xe] 4f14, 5d10, 6s2 6p4

These elements(except polonium) are ore forming elements and thus called chalcogens.

 Oxygen is gas while others are solid at room

temperature. Oxygen molecule is diatomic while molecule of other are more complex (exist as 8 atom ring).

s s

s s

s
s

Metallic character increases down the group. Oxygen & Sulphur are non-metals. Selenium & Tellurium are metalloids. Polonium is metal.

Se

Te

Po

Atomic Radii increase from Oxygen to Polonium Ionisation Enthalpy decrease from Oxygen to Polonium

Electronegativity decrease from Oxygen to Polonium

Group 16 elements shows oxidatin states of -2, +2, +4, +6. Oxygen only shows -2 andd +2 due to absence of dorbitals. -2 and +6 oxidation state decreases down the group. +4 oxidation state increases down the group.

All the elements of group 16 form hydrides of type H2M type where M is O, S, Se, Te & Po.

Water is colourless, odourless liquid while other hydrides are colourless, poisonous gases with bad smell.

All the elements of group 16 form hydrides of type MO2, MO3 where M is O, S, Se, Te & Po.
Elements O S Se Te Po Dioxides(MO2) -SO2 SeO2 TeO2 PoO2 Trioxide(MO3) O3 SO3 SeO3 TeO3 PoO3