ORTHOTELLURIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
-
Orthotelluric acid is a chemical compound with the molecular formula H6TeO6. It is an inorganic acid that contains tellurium, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. Orthotelluric acid is formed when tellurium dioxide (TeO2) is dissolved in water and reacts with oxygen. It derives its name from the fact that its molecular structure is composed of ortho-tellurate anions (TeO6) linked together.
Orthotelluric acid is a highly reactive and corrosive substance, and it is stable in aqueous solutions at room temperature. It is considered a powerful oxidizing agent and is capable of oxidizing various substances. The acid exhibits acidic properties, meaning it can donate protons (H+) to form hydronium ions (H3O+) in solution.
Due to its strong oxidizing nature, orthotelluric acid finds applications in various chemical processes and industries. It is used as a laboratory reagent for synthesis and analysis purposes, such as in the determination of tellurium content in different materials. The acid is also employed in the production of tellurates, compounds that contain tellurate anions. Additionally, orthotelluric acid has applications in electroplating and as an etchant in electronic industries.
Caution must be exercised while handling orthotelluric acid as it is toxic and can cause severe skin and eye irritation. Inhalation of its vapors or ingestion of the acid may lead to harmful health effects. Therefore, appropriate safety measures and protective equipment should be utilized when working with this compound.
Etymology of ORTHOTELLURIC ACID
The word "orthotelluric acid" is primarily composed of two parts: "ortho" and "telluric acid".
1. "Ortho": Derived from the Greek word "orthos", which means "straight" or "correct". In chemistry, the term "ortho" is used to describe a chemical compound or its isomer that has two substituent groups attached to an aromatic ring in adjacent carbon atoms (1,2-substituted aromatic compounds).
2. "Telluric Acid": The term "telluric" refers to the element tellurium, which is a rare semi-metallic element found in the periodic table with the symbol "Te". "Telluric acid" is the compound formed when tellurium combines with oxygen in its highest oxidation state (+6). It is a strong oxidizing agent and is chemically represented as H2TeO4.
