The halogens

Later
 Group 7
The Halogens
 Physical Properties
Simple Molecular Structures
• Diatomic molecules
• Strong covalent bonds
• Weak intermolecular forces
• Low melting and boiling points
• Poor conductors of heat and electricity

Melting point and boiling point

increase as you go down the group.
 Chemical Properties
of the Halogens
All have 7 electrons in their outer shell.
They all want to gain one more electron for a
full outer shell. There are two ways they can
do this:
a) Ionic bonding – Accept one electron from
a metal atom to become a halide ion with
a -1 charge.
b) Covalent bonding – Form one covalent
bond with another non-metal.
 Examples
a) Ionic Bonding
2Na + Cl2 2NaCl

+ xo
- xo
Na Cl -
xx

xx
F

xx

xx
xx
xx
2+
Ca + F2 CaF2 xo
-
Ca
F

xx

xx
xx
 Examples
b) Covalent Bonding
HCl

Cl2
Reactivity decreases as you go down
group 7
Reaction Conditions
Explosive even at
F2(g) + H2(g) → 2HF(g) -200oC in the dark.
Explosive in sunlight.
Cl2(g) + H2(g) → 2HCl(g)
Slow in the dark.
Br2(g) + H2(g) → 2HBr(g) 300oC + Pt catalyst
Very slow at 300oC with
I2(g) + H2(g) → 2HI(g)
Pt catalyst
 Group 7 – R
forming negative ions E
A
F
C
• Reactivity decreases as you go T
down the group. I
V
• In larger atoms the outermost I
T
electrons are further from the Y Cl
nucleus. I
N
• This makes it harder to gain an C
electron as it will be less strongly R
E
attracted to the nucleus A
S
E
S
 Halogen displacement reactions

Mr Miss + Miss Mr Miss Miss

Sodium Iodide Bromine Sodium Bromide Iodine

Sodium Iodide + Bromine Sodium Bromide + Iodine

2NaI(aq) + Br2(aq) 2NaBr(aq) + I2(aq)

Iodide oxidised Bromine reduced
 Halogen displacement reactions

Miss Mr + Mr Miss Mr Mr
Potassium Bromide Chlorine Potassium Chloride Bromine

Potassium Bromide + Chlorine Potassium Chloride + Bromine

2KBr(aq) + Cl2(aq) 2KCl(aq) + Br2(aq)

Bromide oxidised Chlorine reduced
What if we add fluorine to aqueous
potassium chloride?
Fluorine is more reactive than
chlorine so would displace chloride
from it’s salt.
However, fluorine is so reactive it
would instantly react with the
water before it got to the chloride
ions!
F Cl