2021-23 Curriculum

AS/A2 - Chemistry

12 – Group 17
01 – Learning Outcomes
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

You should be able to:

 describe the colours of, and explain the trend in volatility of,
chlorine, bromine and iodine
 describe and explain
– the relative reactivity of the elements as oxidising agents
– the reactions of the elements with hydrogen
– the relative thermal stabilities of the hydrides (in terms of
bond energies)
 describe and explain the reactions of halide ions with
– aqueous silver ions followed by aqueous ammonia
– concentrated sulfuric acid
 describe and interpret the reaction of chlorine with cold, and
with hot, aqueous sodium hydroxide
 explain the use of chlorine in water purification
 state the industrial importance and environmental significance
of the halogens and their compounds
01 – Learning Outcomes
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Introduction
Fluorine, found at the top of Group 17, is the most reactive of
all the non-metallic elements and is a powerful oxidising
agent. The next element in Group 17 is chlorine, also a toxic
gas, but its compounds, such as trichlorophenol, are
important disinfectants.
Compounds of carbon, fluorine and chlorine are known as
CFCs and have been responsible for most of the damage to
the Earth’s ozone layer. You
can read more about uses of
the halogens and their
compounds on page 178.
Figure 12.1 Chlorine may be
added to drinking water to kill
harmful microorganisms.
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Physical properties of Group 17 elements

► In this chapter we will look at the elements
in Group 17 of the Periodic Table, called
the halogens. Their atoms all have seven
electrons in the outer principal quantum
shell.
► Here are the electronic configurations of
the first four elements in Group 17:
Fluorine (F) 1s22s22p5
Chlorine (Cl) 1s22s22p63s23p5
Bromine (Br) 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p5
Iodine (I)
1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d105s25p5
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Physical properties of Group 17 elements

► The Group 17 elements are all non-metals. At
room temperature, they exist as diatomic
molecules, i.e. molecules made up of two atoms,
F2, Cl2, Br2 and
I2 (Figure 12.2).

Figure 12.2 Three of

the Group 17 elements,
known as the halogens.
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Physical properties of Group 17 elements

► There is a single covalent bond between the two atoms
in each molecule. Table 12.1 shows some of their
physical properties.
Group 17 Atomic Melting Boiling Colour
element radius / Nm point / °C point / °C
fluorine (F2) 0.072 -220 -188 pale yellow
Chlorine (Cl2) 0.099 -101 -35 green/yellow
Bromine (Br2) 0.114 -7 59 orange/ brown
iodine (I2) 0.133 114 184 grey/black solid,
purple vapour
Table 12.1 Some physical properties of the Group 17
elements. The atomic radius value is taken from single
covalent data (see page 51).
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Physical properties of Group 17 elements

► The melting points and boiling points of the halogens
increase going down the group. The boiling point data
gives us an idea of the volatility of the halogens, i.e. the
ease with which they evaporate.
► All the values are relatively low because they have
simple molecular structures. There are only weak van
der Waals’ forces between their diatomic molecules.
► These forces increase as the number of electrons in
the molecules increases with increasing atomic
number. The greater the number of electrons, the
greater the opportunities for instantaneous dipoles
arising within molecules, and for induced dipoles to be
produced on neighbouring molecules.
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Physical properties of Group 17 elements

► So the larger the molecules, the stronger the van der
Waals’ forces between molecules, making iodine the least
volatile and fluorine the most volatile of the halogens we
are considering. The colours of the halogens get darker
going down the group.
01 – Physical properties of Group 17 elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Questions
1. a. What trend in volatility is seen going
down Group 17?
b. Using Table 12.1, what is the state of each
halogen at 20 °C?
c. What is the trend in the atomic radii of the
halogens? Explain this trend.
d. Astatine (At) lies below iodine at the bottom
of Group 17. Predict its:
i. state at 20 °C
ii. colour
iii. atomic radius.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► The halogen atoms need to gain just
one more electron to achieve the
stable electronic configuration of the
noble gas atoms to the right of them
in the Periodic Table.
► Therefore they react with metallic
elements, with each of their atoms
gaining an electron from a metal atom
to become ions with a 1− charge. For
example:
Ca(s) + Cl2(g) → Ca2+Cl−2(s)
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► When a halogen reacts with a metal
atom, the halogen atom gains one
electron. Because of this, the halogens
are oxidising agents (electron
acceptors).
► In the process of oxidising another
substance they themselves are reduced.
► Their oxidation number is reduced from
0 in the element usually to −1 in the
compound formed.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► The halogens also react with
many non-metals, each halogen
atom sharing a pair of electrons
with the other non-metal atom in a
covalent bond, e.g. in hydrogen
chloride, HCl.
H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g)
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► The reactions of chlorine with calcium and
with hydrogen shown here can be repeated
with the other halogens.
► In these experiments we find that the
reactions of fluorine are more vigorous than
those of chlorine.
► Bromine reacts less vigorously than chlorine,
and iodine is less reactive than bromine.
The halogens get less reactive Group 17
going down Group 17. Reactivity
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► This pattern in reactivity corresponds to the
trend in electronegativity going down the
group, shown in Table 12.2.
Halogen Electronegativity
Fluorine (F) 4.0
Chlorine (Cl) 3.0
Bromine (Br) 2.8
Iodine (I) 2.5
Table 12.2 - Electronegativity values of the halogens.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► A fluorine atom has the strongest pull on the pair of
electrons in a covalent bond, while an iodine atom
has the weakest attraction for electrons.
► We can explain this by looking at the atomic radii
data in Table 12.1.
Group 17 Atomic Melting Boiling Colour
element radius / Nm point / °C point / °C
fluorine (F2) 0.072 -220 -188 pale yellow
Chlorine (Cl2) 0.099 -101 -35 green/yellow
Bromine (Br2) 0.114 -7 59 orange/ brown
iodine (I2) 0.133 114 184 grey/black solid,
purple vapour
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of Group 17 elements

► The fluorine atom is the smallest in the group. Its outer
shell is nearer to the attractive force of the nucleus and
an electron entering its outer shell will also experience
the least shielding from the attraction of the positive
nuclear charge.
► These factors outweigh the fact that fluorine’s nuclear
charge is only 9+ compared
with iodine’s 53+.
► Therefore fluorine is a much
stronger oxidising agent
(acceptor of electrons) than
iodine.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Displacement reactions
We can also judge the reactivity (or the oxidising power) of
the halogens by looking at their displacement reactions with
other halide ions in solution.
A more reactive halogen can displace a less reactive
halogen from a halide solution of the less reactive halogen.

Let’s look at an example. When chlorine water, Cl2(aq) is

added to a solution of sodium bromide, containing Br−(aq)
ions, the solution changes to a yellow is brown colour.
The colour is caused by the presence of dissolved bromine
molecules, Br2(aq), as found I bromine water. The
displacement reaction that takes place is:
Cl2(aq) + 2NaBr(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + Br2(aq)
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Displacement Reactions
We say that chlorine has displaced bromine from
solution.
This is summarised in the ionic equation for this
displacement reaction:
Cl2(aq) + 2Br−(aq) → 2Cl−(aq) + Br2(aq)
The chlorine atoms are more electronegative than
bromine atoms so have a stronger tendency to form
negatively charged ions.
Likewise, bromine will displace iodine from an iodide
solution:
Br2(aq) + 2NaI(aq) → 2NaBr(aq) + I2(aq)
or as an ionic equation:
− −
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Displacement reactions
The colours of the halogen molecules in solution are
difficult to identify positively in these displacement
reactions.
However, the halogens dissolve well in cyclohexane
(which is immiscible in water, forming two separate
layers).
The halogens dissolved in cyclohexane are distinctly
different colours. Therefore adding some of this organic
solvent after mixing the halogen/halide solutions, shaking
the mixture and then allowing it to settle into layers shows
clearly which halogen is present as its diatomic molecules
(Figure 12.3).
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Displacement reactions
Figure 12.3
Cyclohexane forms a
layer on top of water.
Dissolved iodine is
purple in this upper
organic layer,
bromine is orange
and chlorine is very
pale green.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions with hydrogen

► The halogens form hydrogen halides with hydrogen gas.
One example of this is the reaction of hydrogen with chlorine
to give hydrogen chloride (see page 173). The trend in
reactivity is illustrated by their reactions (Table 12.3).
Equation for reaction Description of reaction
H2(g) + F2(g) → 2HF(g) reacts explosively even in cool,
dark conditions
H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) reacts explosively in sunlight
H2(g) + Br2(g) → 2HBr(g) reacts slowly on heating
H2(g) + I2(g) → 2HI(g) forms an equilibrium mixture on
heating
Table 12.3 The reactions of hydrogen and the halogens, showing
decreasing reactivity going down Group 17.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions with hydrogen

► The hydrogen halides formed differ in their
thermal stability. Hydrogen iodide can be
decomposed by inserting a red-hot wire
into a sample of hydrogen iodide gas.
► The purple fumes seen are iodine vapour:
2HI(g) → H2(g) + I2(g)
► By contrast, hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride are
not decomposed in temperatures up to 1500 °C.
Hydrogen bromide is not as stable as HF and HCl, but it
is more resistant to decomposition than hydrogen iodide.
► At 430°C in a closed container, 10% of a sample of HBr
will decompose, whereas around 20% of HI decomposes
at that temperature.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions with hydrogen

► We can explain this by looking at the bond energies of the
hydrogen–halogen bonds (Table 12.4).
Hydrogen–halogen bond Bond energy / kJ mol−1
H—F 562
H—Cl 431
H—Br 366
H—I 299

Table 12.4 Hydrogen–halogen bond energies

► As you can see in Table 12.4, the bond energies
decrease going down Group 17, making it easier to break
the hydrogen–halogen bond.
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions with hydrogen

► This is because the iodine atom is the largest atom, so the
overlap of its outer shell with a hydrogen atom gives a
much longer bond length than with the other smaller
halogen atoms.
► The longer the bond, the weaker it is, and the less energy
required to break it. Hence HI is less thermally stable than
HF.
The hydrogen halides get less thermally stable going
down Group 17.
most thermally stable HF
HCl
HBr
least thermally stable HI
02 – Reactions of Group 17 Elements
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Questions
3. a. Astatine (At) lies below iodine at the
bottom of Group 17. Predict:
i. the equation for its reaction with hydrogen
ii. the vigour of its reaction with hydrogen
iii. the thermal stability of its hydride.
b. Explain why chlorine is a more powerful
oxidising agent than bromine.

Reactions of the halide ions

► In the following boxes, we consider the
reactions of the ions formed by the halogens.
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Testing for halide ions

We can tell the halide ions, Cl−(aq), Br−(aq) and I−(aq),
apart by using simple chemical tests. If an unknown
compound is dissolved in dilute nitric acid and silver
nitrate solution is added, a precipitate will be formed if
the unknown solution contains halide ions. The
precipitate will be silver
chloride (AgCl), silver
bromide (AgBr) or silver
iodide (AgI).
Figure 12.4 Colours of the silver
halide precipitates: silver
chloride (on the left), silver
bromide and silver iodide (on the
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Testing for halide ions

Because these precipitates are similar in colour (see Figure
12.4), we can then add ammonia solution – dilute ammonia
solution followed by concentrated ammonia solution – to verify
the result. The results of the tests are shown in Table 12.5.

Halide ion Colour of silver Effect on Effect on

halide precipitate of precipitate of
precipitate on adding dilute adding
addition of silver ammonia concentrated
nitrate solution Solution ammonia solution
chloride, Cl−(aq) White Dissolves Dissolves
bromide, Br−(aq) Cream Remains insoluble Dissolves
iodide, I−(aq) Pale yellow Remains insoluble Remains insoluble

Table 12.5 The results of positive tests for halide ions.

03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Testing for halide ions

The general equation for the precipitation reaction with
silver nitrate solution is:
AgNO3(aq) + X−(aq) → AgX(s) + NO3−(aq)
where X− represents the halide ion.
The aqueous nitrate ions can be left out to produce the
ionic equation; they are spectator ions that do not get
involved in the reaction:
Ag+(aq) + X−(aq) → AgX(s)
The added ammonia can form complex ions that are
soluble:
 silver chloride forms complex ions with dilute ammonia
 silver bromide forms complex ions with concentrated
ammonia.
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of halide ions with concentrated sulfuric acid

► Compounds that contain Cl−, Br− or I− ions will react with
concentrated sulfuric acid. All of these reactions produce
one or more poisonous gases, so they must be
performed with great care in a fume cupboard.
► We can prepare hydrogen chloride gas by dropping
concentrated sulfuric acid slowly onto crystals of sodium
chloride (see the apparatus in Figure 12.5):
NaCl(s) + H2SO4(l) → NaHSO4(s) + HCl(g)
► The HCl produced is visible as white fumes
► However, we cannot use the same reaction to prepare
samples of pure hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide.
We saw on page 175 how it gets increasingly easy to
decompose the hydrogen halides going down the group.
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of the halide ions

► When they decompose into their elements, the halide in
HBr and HI is being oxidised. Concentrated sulfuric acid is
a relatively strong oxidising agent.
► It is not strong enough to oxidise HCl, but it will oxidise
and decompose HBr and HI. So any HBr or HI formed in
the reaction between sodium bromide, or sodium iodide,
and concentrated sulfuric acid
undergoes further reaction. Figure 12.5 Preparing a
sample of hydrogen
chloride gas. The
hydrogen chloride gas is
denser than air so
displaces the air from
the gas jar as it collects.
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of the halide ions

► With sodium bromide, the sulfuric acid itself is
reduced to sulfur dioxide gas as it oxidises the
hydrogen bromide produced in the initial
reaction:
NaBr(s) + H2SO4(l) → NaHSO4(s) + HBr(g)
► followed by oxidation of HBr(g):
2HBr(g) + H2SO4(l) → Br2(g) + SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
► A reddish brown gas is seen; this is the element
bromine.
► With sodium iodide, the sulfuric acid is reduced
to a variety of sulfur products as it oxidises the
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of the halide ions

► The products of the oxidation of HI are sulfur
dioxide, sulfur and hydrogen sulfide, as
shown in the reactions below:
NaI(s) + H2SO4(l) → NaHSO4(s) + HI(g)
► followed by oxidation of HI(g):
2HI(g) + H2SO4(l) → I2(g) + SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
► and:
6HI(g) + H2SO4(l) → 3I2(g) + S(s) + 4H2O(l)
► and:
8HI(g) + H2SO4(l) → 4I2(g) + H2S(g) + 4H2O(l)
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Reactions of the halide ions

► Several observations can be made here:
 sulfur is seen as a yellow solid
 hydrogen sulfide has a strong smell of bad
eggs
 iodine is produced as a violet/purple vapour.
► Therefore, a mixture of gases is produced when
NaBr or NaI react with concentrated sulfuric
acid, so this is not a good way to prepare a
sample of the gases HBr or HI.
It gets easier to oxidise the hydrogen halides going
down Group 17.
03 - Reactions of the Halide Ions
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Questions
4. a. You suspect that a solid compound might be
potassium bromide. Describe how you would test
your idea and the positive results you would get if
you were correct.
b. i. What would you see in a test tube in which
concentrated sulfuric acid is added drop-
wise to solid potassium iodide that you would
not see if the acid was added to potassium
chloride?
ii. Give equations to describe the reactions taking
place in the test tube between concentrated
sulfuric acid and potassium iodide.
04 - Disproportionation
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Disproportionation
► The element chlorine (Cl2, oxidation number = 0)

undergoes a type of redox reaction called

disproportionation when it reacts with alkali.
► Disproportionation can be thought of as a ‘self
reduction/ oxidation’ reaction. When chlorine reacts
with dilute alkali some chlorine atoms are reduced
and some are oxidised in the same reaction.
► The actual reaction
that takes place
depends on the
temperature.
Disproportionation
04 - Disproportionation
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Chlorine in cold alkali (15 °C)

► The ionic equation for the reaction is:

04 - Disproportionation
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Chlorine in cold alkali (15 °C)

► The ionic equation for this redox reaction can be
split into two half-equations, showing the
reduction and oxidation.
 The reduction reaction (in which chlorine’s
oxidation number is reduced is):

 The oxidation reaction is:

04 - Disproportionation
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Chlorine in hot alkali (70°C)

► When we add chlorine and hot concentrated
aqueous sodium hydroxide a different
disproportionation reaction takes place:
04 - Disproportionation
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Questions
5. a. What type of reaction takes place between
chlorine and hot aqueous sodium
hydroxide?
b. Write an ionic equation for the reaction of
chlorine with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide.
c. Write a half-equation to show the reduction
reaction taking place in part b.
d. Write a half-equation to show the oxidation
reaction taking place in part b.
e. Explain what happens in the reaction between
chlorine and hot aqueous sodium hydroxide.
f. Name the compound NaClO3.
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Chlorination of water
► Adding a small amount of chlorine to a water supply will
kill bacteria and make the water safer to drink. The
chlorine undergoes disproportionation in water:

► HClO is called chloric(I) acid. It decomposes slowly in

solution. One theory suggests that it produces reactive
oxygen atoms that can
kill bacteria in water:
HClO → HCl + [O]
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Bleach
► Bleach is an equal mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl) and
sodium chlorate(I) (NaClO), made from chlorine and cold
alkali. It ‘bleaches’ colours and stains because oxygen
atoms from the chlorate(I) ions oxidise dye and other
coloured molecules.
► They also kill bacteria when toilets are cleaned with
bleach (see Figure 12.6).

Figure 12.6 The reaction:

Cl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) →
NaCl(aq) + NaClO(aq) + H2O(l)
is used in industry to produce
bleach. The bleaching agent is
the chlorate(I) ion.
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

Other uses
► The halogens are found in many organic
compounds such as the plastic PVC
(poly(choroethene) or polyvinyl chloride) and
halogenated hydrocarbons used as solvents,
refrigerants and in aerosols. For more details see
‘Uses of halogenoalkanes’ on pages 222–3.
06 - Summary
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

 The halogens chlorine, bromine and iodine exist as

covalent diatomic molecules. They become
increasingly less volatile and more deeply coloured
on descending Group 17. The volatility decreases
as van der Waals’ forces between molecules
increase.
 All the halogens are oxidising agents. Fluorine is the
strongest oxidising agent and iodine is the weakest.
 The reactivity of the halogens decreases on
descending the group.
 It gets easier to oxidise the hydrogen halides going
down Group 17 as the strength of the hydrogen–
halogen bond decreases.
06 - Summary
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

 Chlorine reacts with cold hydroxide ions in a

disproportionation (‘self reduction-oxidation’)
reaction. This reaction produces commercial
bleach.
 A different disproportionation reaction takes place
between chlorine and hot alkali, producing
NaCl(aq), NaClO3(aq) and water.
 The halogens all have important industrial uses,
especially chlorine, which is used in the
manufacture of many other useful products.
Possibly the most important use of chlorine is in the
prevention of disease by chlorination of water
supplies.
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

1. a. What is the molecular formula of bromine?

[1]
b. Put the elements bromine, chlorine and iodine in
order of boiling point, starting with the lowest.
[2]
c. Explain the reasons for the trend described in part
b. [2]
Total = 5
2. a. Which of these mixtures will result in a chemical
reaction?
i. bromine solution and sodium chloride solution
[1]

? ii. iodine solution and sodium bromide solution

[1]
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

b. Write a balanced chemical equation for each

reaction that occurs in part a.

[4]
c. What type of reaction occurs in part a?

[1]
d. What trend do the reactions in part a show us?

[1]
e. For one of the reactions that occurs in part a,
? identify the substance oxidised and the
substance reduced.
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

3. a. Complete the equations below, including state

symbols.
i. AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → …
[2]
ii. AgNO3(aq) + NaBr(aq) → …
[2]
iii. AgNO3(aq) + NaI(aq) → …
[2]
b. What would you observe in each reaction in
part a?
[4]
? c. What would you observe in each case if dilute
ammonia solution were subsequently added?
05 - Uses of the Halogens and their Compounds
1 – Physical
2 - Reactions 3 – Halide Ions 4 – Disproportionation 5 - Halogens 6 - Questions
Properties

4. a. For the reaction of chlorine with water:

i. write a balanced chemical equation
[2]
ii. give the oxidation numbers of chlorine before
and after the reaction
[3]
iii. give one use for the process.
[1]
b. For the reaction of chlorine with cold dilute aqueous
sodium hydroxide:
i. write a balanced chemical equation
[2]

? ii. give the oxidation numbers of chlorine before

and after the reaction