Tellurite (ion)

The tellurite ion is TeO2−
3. A tellurite (compound), for example sodium tellurite, is a compound that contains this ion. They are typically colorless or white salts, which in some ways are comparable to sulfite.[3] A mineral with the formula TeO2 is called tellurite.

Tellurite (ion)
Names
Systematic IUPAC name
Tellurite[1] (substitutive)
Trioxidotellurate(2−)[2] (additive)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
100741
Properties
O3Te2−
Molar mass 175.6 g mol−1
Conjugate acid Tellurous acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Structure and reactions
Crystal structure of sodium tellurite, highlighting the pyramidal structure of the anion.

Tellurite dianion is pyramidal, like selenite and sulfite. The anion has C3v symmetry.

Tellurites can be reduced to elemental tellurium by electrolysis or a strong reducing agent. When fused with nitrate salts, tellurite salts oxidize to tellurates (TeO2−
4).

Upon acidification of aqueous solutions of tellurite salts, solid hydrated tellurium dioxide (TeO2) precipitates. This reaction allows the separation of tellurium from selenium since selenous acid remains soluble at low pH. The intermediate in the protonation occurs at oxygen to give [TeO2(OH)]−.

Uses

Potassium tellurite (K2TeO3) is used together with agar as part of a selective medium for growth of some bacteria (Clauberg medium). Corynebacteria and some other species reduce TeO2−
3 to elemental Te, which stains the bacteria black.

Further reading
  • M. R. Masson, H. D. Lutz and B. Engelen (eds.) "Sulfites, Selenites and Tellurites", Pergamon Press, Oxford,

1986.

See also
  • List of tellurites

References
  1. "Tellurous Acid - PubChem Public Chemical Database". The PubChem Project. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information.
  2. "Tellurite (CHEBI:30477)". Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI). UK: European Bioinformatics Institute.
  3. Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.
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