Compounds of Group 13 Elements

Introduction

The atoms have more than 100 different chemical elements that make up all matter in the universe. These atoms can be found in both pure form and mixed known as chemical compounds. Any pure element is completely made up of the atoms that make up that element, and each element’s atoms are different. The atoms that make carbon, for example, differ from those that make iron. In this article, we will study what makes them unique and what are chemical compounds of group 13 elements? This article explains compounds of group 13 elements and compounds of group 13 elements importance.

What is a compound? 

According to compounds of group 13 elements, pure substances that are made up of atoms from two or more different elements are known as compounds. Compounds can further be broken down into their constituent parts. These compounds are also made up of a specific number of atoms with a defined proportion. For example, Carbon monoxide is a chemical compound. Two parts make up this compound: Oxygen and Carbon.

Molecules, on the other hand, are substances that are made up of two or more atoms of a similar element. Oxygen is O2, hydrogen H2, and nitrogen N2 are some examples of these gases. Hydrogen gas, in this case, refers to a molecule, not a compound, because it fails to meet the following criteria: 

• At least two different atoms must be present in a compound.

Hydrogen gas is H2 which is made up of two atoms of hydrogen that are of the same element.

Different compounds that are not linked to one another can be combined and these elements can also be separated or isolated from each other. The atoms and compounds of oxygen O2, nitrogen N2, carbon dioxide CO2, methane CH4, and other particles that form air can be considered perfect examples of mixtures. 

What can hold atoms in a compound collectively?

Chemical bonds are formed by linking that allows atoms to combine at any time. Chemical bonds are like forces that connect the atoms of molecules and compounds.

Chemical bonding therefore can be divided into two different categories:

• Ionic bonds: A bond that is created by electrostatic attraction between ions with opposite charges. And in this, there are at least one of the valence electrons of one ion that is completely donated to another ion. The iron then becomes positively charged when it loses an ion, it becomes negatively charged when it gains an ion. Cations are called positively charged ions, while anions are called negatively charged ions.
• Covalent bonds: A covalent bond is formed when one atom shares one of its valence electrons with another atom.

These bonds that connect different atoms in a chemical molecule tell us what type of a substance that element is. 

• Ionic compounds are compounds that are held together by ionic bonding. 
• Covalent compounds are made up of atoms that are bonded together by covalent bonds.

Elements vs. Compounds

The matter with a set composition is called a pure substance. The particles that make up these substances can’t be separated without breaking their bonds or changing their chemical structure. Both compounds and elements are considered pure substances. 

Compounds of Group 13 elements i.e the boron family

Boron is the only element in this group that is not highly reactive. Boron is tiny in structure and has high ionization energy. Due to this, the reactivity of the boron family increases as we move towards the group. 

B < Al < Ga < In < Tl

Boron is the least reactive element in the boron family, while Thallium is the most reactive due to its low ionization energy.

Aluminium: When it reacts at first, it continues to react. However, after some time, an oxide layer forms on its surface. This layer prevents it from reacting further. Sometimes due to this oxide layer, this element becomes inactive. The majority of this group’s compounds are electron deficient. It simply means that their octet is incomplete and due to this, their behaviour is like Lewis acids. 

For example, BX3 has only 6 electrons in the valence shell of Boron. Therefore this element forms a coordinate bond.  

[NH3—>BF3] BX3 + NH3 

Coordinate bonds have the proclivity for absorbing electrons, that’s why they are known as Lewis acids. However, as you move forward in the group, the acidic character reduces (acidic character refers to the tendency to attract incoming electrons).

BX3 >  AlX3 > GaX3 >InX3  >TlX3

The elements increase in size and because of this, they lose their strength and slowly fade away. And the electrons’ attraction power also decreases.  

 Reactivity with oxygen:

Group 13 elements produce oxides. As they are tiny in size and have high ionization energy, boron does not react with oxygen at room temperature. But, when Al is combined with oxygen, it reacts at room temperature creating a protective layer of oxide on its surface over time. Due to this layer aluminium becomes non-reactive. 

Aluminium + Oxygen →  Aluminium oxide

Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3

These elements also react with nitrogen gas to produce nitride.

6Al +3N2→ 6AlN

Nitrogen + Aluminium becomes Aluminium nitride 

The acidic strength of these elements decreases as we move downwards in the group. 

Reaction with water: 

Aluminium does react with cold water but boron doesn’t react with water. 

Al         +       H2O         →          Al(OH)3        +        H2

        Aluminium + water    →   Aluminium hydroxide +  hydrogen gas

Gallium and indium also do not react with water but thallium reacts with hot water thus forming a protective layer that makes this element passive. 

Reactivity towards bases and acids 

Boron reacts with strong acids but it doesn’t react with acids and bases at normal room temperature. Aluminium reacts with both as this element is amphoteric. 

Al + HCl → AlCl3 + H2

Aluminium + hydrogen chloride becomes aluminium chloride + hydrogen gas

Al + NaOH → [NaAl(OH)4]

Aluminium + sodium hydroxide becomes sodium tetrahydroxo-aluminate

Conclusion 

Chemical compounds possess various properties. Some are solids, some are liquids, and some are gases under normal room temperatures and pressures. Some compounds are extremely hazardous to humans, whereas others are required for the survival of human life.