Group VII Elements Halogens

The elements in Group VII are called

halogens. The elements include
fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and
astatine.

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Physical Properties of the Halogens

Halogens are non-metals.
They exist as diatomic covalent molecules: F2, Cl2, Br2, I2.

They are also coloured.

Halogens have low melting and boiling points.
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How do the physical properties of halogens

change on going down the group?

On going down the group,

the colours of the halogens become darker.
the melting points and boiling points of the
halogens increase. Chlorine is a gas, bromine is a
liquid while iodine is a solid at room temperature.
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How can we use the Periodic Table to

predict the properties of halogens?
Predict the colour and melting point
of astatine, which is below iodine.

The melting points of the

halogens increase down the
group. Thus, we expect the
next halogen to have a
melting point greater than
114 oC.

Astatine is a solid which melts at 300 oC.

We can also deduce that astatine is black since colour
intensity increases down the group.
Copyright 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish

Chemical Properties of the Halogens

Halogens are reactive non-metals.
Why are they so reactive?
The valence shell of each halogen contains 7 valence
electrons. This means that only 1 more electron is
needed to achieve a stable noble gas structure.
Halogens react with most metals to form salts called
halides. Fluoride ions (F ), chloride ions (Cl ), bromide
ions (Br ) and iodide ions (I ) are examples of halide
ions.

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What are the displacement reactions

of the halogens?
A displacement reaction is a reaction in which one element takes
the place of another element in a compound.
A more reactive halogen will displace a less reactive halogen from
its halide solution.
For example, when chlorine water is added to
aqueous sodium bromide or potassium bromide, a
reddish-brown solution is obtained.
Chlorine, being more reactive than bromine,
displaces bromine from the bromide solution.

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Example Of Displacement Reaction

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However, when bromine water is added

to potassium chloride solution, no
reaction occurs.
This is because bromine is less reactive
than chlorine, hence bromine cannot
displace chlorine from a chloride solution.
A less reactive halogen cannot displace a more reactive
halogen from its halide solution.
Copyright 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish

Order of Reactivity of Halogens

We can deduce the order of reactivity of the

halogens from their displacement reactions.
Unlike the alkali metals, the reactivity of the
halogens decreases down the group.
Fluorine is the most reactive halogen.
Astatine is the least reactive.

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Why are halogens powerful oxidising

agents?
During chemical reactions, halogen atoms readily gain
electrons to form halide ions. The halogens are therefore
powerful oxidising agents.

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The displacement reactions between halogens and other

halide ions can also be classified as redox reactions.
Consider the displacement reaction between
chlorine and potassium bromide.
Chlorine acts as the oxidising agent.
Cl2(aq) + 2Br(aq) 2Cl (aq) + Br2(aq)

Bromide ion acts as the reducing

agent.

Copyright 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish