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Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
Published on: July 8, 2021
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Tellurium: a maverick among the chalcogens
Tristram Chivers1, Risto S Laitinen
1Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. chivers@ucalgary.ca.
Chemical Society Reviews
|February 19, 2015
Summary
Tellurium chemistry defies extrapolation from sulfur and selenium. Its unique properties, including hypervalency and diverse bonding, are crucial for applications in chemistry and materials science.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Tellurium receives limited textbook attention due to low natural abundance.
- Commonly, tellurium compound behavior is incorrectly extrapolated from sulfur and selenium analogues.
- Recent findings highlight the unique and essential nature of tellurium chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine fundamental concepts in tellurium chemistry.
- To emphasize the unique features of tellurium compounds.
- To provide an understanding of tellurium's distinct chemical behavior.
Main Methods:
- Review of contemporary examples in tellurium chemistry.
- Focus on hypervalency and three-centre bonding.
- Analysis of secondary bonding interactions and Lewis acid behavior.
Main Results:
- Demonstration that tellurium's behavior is not predictable from lighter chalcogens.
- Illustration of unique bonding characteristics, including hypervalency and three-centre bonds.
- Exploration of secondary bonding and Lewis acidity in tellurium compounds.
Conclusions:
- Tellurium chemistry possesses unique characteristics distinct from sulfur and selenium.
- Understanding these unique features is vital for its applications.
- Tellurium compounds have emerging importance in inorganic, organic, and materials science.
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