GROUP 14 ELEMENTS

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1) ATOMIC SIZE

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
2) MELTING POINT

C,Si, Ge

Sn, Pb

giant molecular
structure

giant metallic
structure

strong covalent
bond(holding the
individual atoms
together in a three
dimension array)

melting point Pb
higher than Sn
because Pb more close
packed structure than
Sn, although Pb has a
bigger size than Sn

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3) ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

depends on delocalised electron

C
non-metal
(diamond)
it is nonconductor of
electricity

Si, Ge
metalloids
(semi
conductor)

Sn, Pb
metals and are
good
conductors of
electricity

TETRACHLORIDES AND OXIDES OF GROUP 14

ELEMENTS
All of tetrachlorides of Group 14 elements are
covalent compounds with simple molecular
structures
The atoms of Group 14 undergoes sp3 hybridisation

VOLATILITY OF TETRACHLORIDE

The intermolecular forces holding

simple molecular compounds are
weak Van Der Waals forces of
attraction.

All tetrachloride of Group 14

elements are volatile liquids with low
melting point and boiling point

Going down the group Van Der Waals

forces of attraction increase
(molecular size increase) hence the
melting point and boiling point of the
tetrachloride increase

THERMAL STABILITY OF TETRACHLORIDE

Going down group 14 the bond length of

M-Cl increase and become weaker

the thermal stability of the tetrachlorides

decreases ( less stable going down the
group)

CCl4, SiCl4, GeCl4 are stable even at high

temperature
SnCl4 decomposes into SnCl2 when heated at
150oC
PbCl4 decomposes into PbCl2 on slight
warming

HYDROLYSIS OF TETRACHLORIDE
All the tetrachlorides except CCl4 are easily
hydrolysed by water with released of white fumes
of hydrogen chloride

The elements use the empty d orbitals in the

outer shell to form dative bonds with water
molecules
Tetrachloromethane CCl4 does not undergo
hydrolysis because carbon atom has no
available d orbitals and atomic radius of
carbon is very small.

OXIDATION STATE

Group 14 elements form 2 series of oxides with

oxygen:
i. Monoxide MO +2
- two p-electron are used in bonding
- C and Si covalent ,
Ge ionic with covalent character,
Sn and Pb predominantly ionic
ii. Dioxide MO 2 +4

all 4 valence electrons are used in bonding

(covalent)

TABLE PROPERTIES OF THE MONOXIDE AND OXIDE OF

GROUP 14

In general the trends with regard to the acid-base

nature of covalent and ionic oxides:
i. Covalent oxides are usually acidic and
ionic oxides are usually basic.
ii. Most metal oxides are ionic and are
normally basic.
iii. Metal oxides with high degree of covalent
character, such as aluminium oxide are
amphoteric.
iv. Non-metal oxides are covalent are usually
acidic

RELATIVE STABILITY OF +2 AND +4 OXIDATION

STATES OF GROUP 14 ELEMENTS
-Oxidation +2 stable for element in the bottom,
oxidation +4 stable for element in the top
Ge4+ (aq) + 2e
Ge2+ (aq)
E = 1.60 V
Sn4+ (aq) + 2e
Sn2+ (aq)
E = +0.15 V
Pb4+ (aq) + 2e
Pb2+ (aq)
E = +1.69 V

- E value more positive Group the tendency M4+

M2+ increases

Pb2+ is more stable than Pb4+ because of the inert

pair effect
Valence electronic configuration 6s2 6p2
High difference energy level between 6s2 and 6p2
It is difficult for 6s electrons to be promoted to the
6p
Two 6s electrons will remain as an inert pair that
will not be involved in a chemical bonding

SILICON, SILICONE AND SILICATES

Silicates are compounds containing silicon and oxygen

- The basic init in all silicates is tetrahedral ion, SiO44Single chain silicate
-When two oxygen atoms per unit tetrahedron are shared to form
single chain pyroxenes

When two pyroxene chains are joined by sharing

another oxygen atom to form double chain
amphibole

When each tetrahedral unit shares three oxygen

atoms, a two dimensional infinite sheet silicate
mica

When all four oxygen atoms per unit tetrahedron

are shared, a 3D structure formed quartz

Uses
Silicate
silicon
Cement,Glass,Zeolite
semiconductor is
Silicone
used extensively in
Silicon atoms in the
the electronic
silicates structure
lubricants,
sectors to build
hydraulic fluids, replaced by aluminium
transistors,microchip electric insulators,
atoms
s, integrated circuits
elastromers,
Used as cation
and computer
exchangers, drying
resins, electrical
components.
agents,
condenser, car
It also used to make
heterogeneous
polishes,
implant
silicone,
catalyst and molecule
in
plastic
surgery
organosilicon
sieves due open
and
to
make
waterpolymer. It
structure that has
proof fabric
chemically inert and
large surface area
good water
and porous,
repellants
Ceramics

TIN ALLOYS
Tin is used in the plating of iron / steel container
- Tin is also used in making of alloys

Alloy

Composition

Bronze

70% Cu, 30%Sn

Pewter

95% Sn, 3% Cu,

1% Sb

Solder

30% Sn, 70% Pb