The chemical compound sodium tellurate, Na2TeO4, is pronounced "SO-dee-uhm TELL-yoor-ate" according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word "sodium" is pronounced /ˈsoʊdiəm/, while "tellurate" is pronounced /ˈtɛljʊ'ɹeɪt/. The IPA system is used to accurately represent the sounds of words in different languages, making it a useful tool for scientists communicating about complex chemical terminology. Overall, the correct spelling and pronunciation of scientific terms is crucial for accurate communication and understanding among researchers.
Sodium tellurate is an inorganic compound that belongs to the family of tellurates. It is formed by the combination of sodium cations (Na+) and tellurate anions (TeO4^2-).
In terms of its chemical structure, sodium tellurate consists of Na+ ions, which act as the cations, and TeO4^2- ions, which are the anions. The tellurate ion consists of tellurium (Te) bonded to four oxygen (O) atoms, forming a tetrahedral structure.
Sodium tellurate is typically encountered as a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It can be synthesized through the reaction of tellurium dioxide (TeO2) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).
This compound is known for its oxidizing properties and is often used in various industrial applications. Sodium tellurate is used as a precursor for the production of other tellurium-containing compounds. It also finds application in the field of electrochemistry and as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions.
Due to the toxicity of tellurium, sodium tellurate should be handled with care, as it may cause harm if ingested, inhaled, or contacted with the skin. Appropriate safety measures and protective equipment should be used when working with this compound.
A white soluble powder, NaTeO4+5H2O, employed as an astringent in the night sweats of phthisis and in the treatment of ulcers of the stomach and intestine, in doses of gr. 1/4 - 1/2 (0.015-0.03).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sodium tellurate" is derived from two primary sources: "sodium" and "tellurate".
1. Sodium: The word "sodium" originates from the Medieval Latin term "sodanum" and the Arabic word "sūd". It was later anglicized to "sodium". The root word "sud" refers to a headache-induced state, which was connected to the use of sodium compounds in ancient times. Sodium is an element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11.
2. Tellurate: "Tellurate" is derived from "tellurium", an element named after "tellus", the Latin word for earth. The term "tellus", in turn, is connected to Greek mythology where it refers to the Greek goddess of the earth, Gaea. Tellurium is a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52.