Unit 7

Topic Content:
A. Group 4A and Group 4B
B. Group 5A and Group 5B

A. Group 4A and Group 4B

The typical elements of Group IV are carbon and silicon. Both of these elements are
characteristically nonmetallic and like all other members of this group have a
maximum valence of 4. Carbon (but not silicon) can exhibit a valence of 2. This
bivalence is also exhibited by the other members of this group.

In general, the properties of Group IV are different from those of the first three
groups. Group IV elements are able to make up the valence octet without the use of
coordination. The elements of both Group IVA and Group IVB are classed among
the metals although the typical elements of Group IV, carbon and silicon, are non
metals. The small size and high charge on the tetravalent ions of Group IV elements
cause bonding to be predominantly covalent in all cases, although when Group IV
elements are in their divalent from, the bonding has a considerable ionic character.
This ionic character naturally increases as the size of the ion increases.

In general, compounds containing the tetravalent form do not exhibit color whereas
the lower valence states are associated with color.

Group IVA
1. Carbon
- Allotropes: (1) Crystalline: graphite, diamond; (2) Amorphous: coal,
anthracite
- CO2: tx of acne, warts, corns, calluses, eczema
- CO32-: antacid, for effervescent tablets
- CO: 210x greater affinity to hemoglobin than oxygen leading to
asphyxia then death; Tx: 100% O2, artificial air (80% He, 20% O2),
hyperbaric O2
2. Silicon
- 2nd most abundant element
- TOX: Silicosis
- Kaolin: adsorbent
- Purified siliceous earth: adsorbent
- Bentonite: suspending agent
- Talc: clarifying agent, dusting agent
- Attapulgite: polymagma, quintess, adsorbent
- Simethicone: polymeric dimethyl siloxane, antiflatulent
3. Tin
- “stannum”
- SnF2: anticariogenic
- SnO2: germicide
4. Lead
 - “plumbum”
- Astringent, protein precipitant
- TOX: Plumbism; Antidote: EDTA
- Pb(CH3COO)2: sugar of lead, astringent
- Pb2(CH3COO): Goulard’s extract, astringent, antiseptic
- PbO: Litharge

Group IVB
1. Titanium
- Named after the Titans
- Corrosion resistance
- 9th most abundant element
- USE: surgical aid, fracture fixation
- TiO2: high refractive index, physical sunblock, opacifying agent in
tableting, white pigment
2. Zirconium
- USE: antiperspirant and deodorant
- DISADV: can cause skin granuloma

B. Group 5A and Group 5B

Nitrogen and phosphorus are the short period elements of Group V. Arsenic,
antimony and bismuth are usually classified with nitrogen and phosphorus as the
“nitrogen family”. These elements all possess five valence electrons in the outer
shell. As the atomic number increases, the number of electron shells as well as the
atomic radius increases.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are both nonmetallic elements, arsenic is a metalloid and
antimony and bismuth are usually classed as metals. However, antimony has some
nonmetallic character and could be classed as a metalloid.

Nitrogen is somewhat a non typical member of this family because of its many
unique properties. Nitrogen, in combination with carbon, oxygen and hydrogen
usually forms a covalent bond. In the nitride form, its bonding may be considered
ionic. Nitrogen compounds usually have three covalent bonds (a covalency of 3) and
an unshared electron pair. It is also able to act as a donor of its unshared electron
pair to cations or neutral atoms to form form 4-covalent compounds or radicals. This
type of bonding also occurs with other elements in this family. Although the
covalency of 5 is not found with nitrogen, which might be expected because of its 5-
valence electrons, it is found with other members of Group V. However, the 3 and 4
covalent states, common with nitrogen are found among some of the other
members of the group as a typical type of bonding. It is believed that the two
electrons often behave as an “inert pair”. Nitrogen also seems to form the triple
bond quite readily which accounts for its great stability to oxidation or reduction and
reduction and its relatively non polar character. This triple link is not found in the
later elements of the group, with phosphorus and arsenic molecules (P4, As4) are
found in a tetrahedral arrangement instead.
All of the elements in this family form hydrides which are analogous to ammonia.
This tendency to form hydrides from the binary combinations with metals (Mg3P2)
by the action of water or dilute acids decreases as the atomic number increases. All
of them, except NH3 tend to be inflammable and are poisonous. The elements react
readily with the halogens to form covalent tri- and penta- halides. These tend to
hydrolyzed readily with water to the hydrogen halides and oxyacids in the case of P
and As and to hydroxy and oxychlorides (ex. BiOCl) in the case of Sb and Bi. All of
them form oxides with oxygen and sulfides with sulfur to give a number of different
combinations. As the atomic number increases, the oxides in this group are less
acidic. The sulfides are highly colored and have been historically used as pigments.
With active metals, these elements readily form binary combinations known as
phosphides, arsenides, etc.

Group VA: Nitrogen Family

1. Nitrogen
- “mephitic air”, “azote”, “without life”
- Most abundant gas in air (71% N2, 29% O2)
- N2: used as inert atmosphere for readily oxidizable substance; liquid
N2 used as refrigerant, BLACK container
- N2O: laughing gas, inhalational anesthetic, s/x diffusion hypoxia, BLUE
container
- NO2: vasodilator, tx for cyanide poisoning
- NO3-: preservative
- Aromatic Ammonia Spirit: Spirit of Hartshorn, Spirit of sal volatile,
respiratory stimulant
2. Phosphorus
- “Light carrier”, St. Elmo’s fire
- Forms: white (poisonous), red (nonpoisonous)
- PO43-: antacid and cathartic
3. Arsenic
- Lewisite metal
- Found in the insecticide Copper Aceto Arsenate (Paris Green)
- Antidote: BAL
- As2O3: insecticide, antileukemic
- AsI3: primary standard for ceric sulfate
4. Antimony
- USE: expectorant, emetic, anti-helminthic
- SbKOC4H4O6: Tartar emetic, brown mixture, tx of schistosomiasis
5. Bismuth
- “Beautiful meadow”
- USE: astringent, antiseptic, internal protective for ulcer
- S/x: dark stool, blue-black gums
- Antidote: BAL/Dimercaprol

Group VB
1.1. Tantalum
- Inert, unaffected by body fluids
 - Bone replacement for temporary braces of long bones

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