Inorganic Chemistry – Periodic Table & Selected Element Facts

Vocabulary flashcards covering periodic-table group names, Latin symbols, key element properties, allotropes, medical and industrial uses, and notable compounds as presented in the lecture notes.

Periodic Table

Tabular arrangement of chemical elements ordered by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring properties.

Representative Elements

Groups IA–VIIIA (1,2,13-18); display wide range of chemical/physical properties.

Transition Elements

d-block metals in Groups IB–VIIIB (3-12); form colored ions and variable oxidation states.

Group IA

Alkali metals: H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, NH₄⁺; most reactive metals, valence +1.

Group IIA

Alkaline-earth metals: Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra; valence +2, form basic oxides.

Group IIIA

Boron/Icosagen group: B, Al, Ga, In, Tl.

Group IVA

Carbon/Crystallogen group: C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb.

Group VA

Nitrogen/Pnictogen group: N, P, As, Sb, Bi.

Group VIA

Oxygen/Chalcogen group: O, S, Se, Te, Po.

Group VIIA

Halogen group: F, Cl, Br, I, At.

Group VIIIA

Noble/Inert gases: He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn.

Group IB

Coinage metals: Cu, Ag, Au.

Group IIB

Volatile metals: Zn, Cd, Hg.

Group IIIB

Scandium subgroup: Sc, Y (+ rare earth series).

Group IVB

Titanium subgroup: Ti, Zr, Hf.

Group VB

Vanadium subgroup: V, Nb, Ta.

Group VIB

Chromium subgroup: Cr, Mo, W, U.

Group VIIB

Manganese subgroup: Mn, Tc, Re, Bh.

Group VIIIB

Iron triads: 1st Fe, Co, Ni; 2nd Rh, Ru, Pd; 3rd Os, Ir, Pt.

Natrium (Na)

Latin name for sodium; derives from ‘natrun’ (Anglo-Saxon term).

Kalium (K)

Latin name for potassium; from Arabic ‘al-qaliy’ (plant ash).

Ferrum (Fe)

Latin name for iron; historically used for sword-making.

Cuprum (Cu)

Latin for copper; from Greek ‘Kypros,’ island rich in copper.

Argentum (Ag)

Latin for silver; linked to Argentina’s silver abundance.

Aurum (Au)

Latin for gold; related to ‘aurora’ (dawn, yellow).

Hydrargyrum (Hg)

Latin for mercury; Greek ‘hydrargyros’ meaning liquid silver.

Plumbum (Pb)

Latin for lead; source of word ‘plumbing.’

Stibium (Sb)

Latin for antimony; from ‘stibi,’ ancient eye cosmetic.

Stannum (Sn)

Latin for tin; root of symbol Sn.

Wolfram (W)

German name for tungsten; from mineral wolframite.

Hydrogen

Lightest element (1 g mol⁻¹); burns with O₂ to form H₂O.

Lane Process

Industrial preparation of 99 % pure hydrogen.

Protium

¹H isotope; most abundant, stable, lightest.

Deuterium

²H isotope; heavy hydrogen, forms D₂O (heavy water).

Tritium

³H isotope; radioactive, heaviest hydrogen isotope.

Lithium

Lightest metal; used as diuretic and mood stabilizer (Li₂CO₃).

Eskalith

Brand of lithium carbonate capsules for bipolar disorder.

Sodium

Primary extracellular cation; responsible for fluid retention.

Liquid Sosa

Household name for sodium hydroxide drain cleaner.

Potassium

Major intracellular cation; soluble salts used as diuretics and muscle contractants.

Hypokalemia

Low blood K⁺; may cause muscle paralysis (Barker’s syndrome).

Rubidium

Alkali metal identified by red spectral lines (1861).

Cesium

Alkali metal, blue spectral lines (1860); catalyst in resin polymerization.

Francium

Radioactive alkali metal discovered in France.

Ammonium

NH₄⁺ polyatomic cation; behaves like alkali metal, used as expectorant and buffer.

Beryllium

Most toxic alkaline-earth metal; used in fluorescent lamps.

Magnesium

Lightest structural metal; part of chlorophyll; forms Grignard reagents.

Magnesia (MgO)

Source of laxative and antacid preparations.

Calcium

99 % in bones/teeth as hydroxyapatite; roles in muscle contraction and blood clotting.

Calcination

Heating CaCO₃ to obtain CaO (quicklime) + CO₂.

Slaked Lime

Ca(OH)₂ formed by adding water to CaO.

Dolomite

Natural double carbonate of Ca and Mg.

Strontium

Gives crimson red flame; used in flares and bone scans (radioisotope).

Barium

Heavy alkaline-earth metal; diagnostic imaging (BaSO₄ suspension).

Radium

Radioactive element discovered by Marie Curie; cancer therapy.

Boron

Used to vulcanize rubber; forms borates.

Aluminum

Astringent and antiperspirant; source mineral cryolite (Na₃AlF₆).

Gallium

Melts near 30 °C; treats cancer-related hypercalcemia; substitutes Hg in lamps.

Thallium

Toxic green-twig metal; used in rodenticides/insecticides.

Carbon

Only element exhibiting extensive catenation; exists as diamond, graphite, coal.

Diamond

Crystalline allotrope of carbon; hardest known mineral.

Graphite

Planar carbon allotrope; lubricant and electrode material.

Silicon

Second most abundant element; major glass component.

Kaolin

Native hydrated aluminum silicate; pharmaceutical adsorbent.

Bentonite

Colloidal hydrated silicate; suspending agent.

Talc

Magnesium silicate; topical dusting powder.

Simethicone

Polydimethylsiloxane; antiflatulent defoaming agent.

Germanium

Eka-silicon; investigated as immunostimulant and antitumor agent.

Tin(II) Fluoride

8 % SnF₂ solution; anticariogenic dental agent.

Lead Poisoning

Plumbism; treated with Ca-EDTA (adults) or succimer (children).

Nitrogen

Azote; inert atmosphere gas, liquid form at −196 °C for cryogenics.

St. Elmo’s Fire

Natural blue glow inspiring phosphorus nickname.

White Phosphorus

Waxy, toxic allotrope; glows in dark and ignites in air.

Red Phosphorus

Non-toxic, used in safety matches.

Black Phosphorus

Graphite-like, air-stable allotrope formed under high pressure.

Arsenic(III)

As³⁺ ion; binds thiol groups, highly toxic.

Salvarsan

Arsphenamine (Compound 606); first anti-syphilis drug, by Paul Ehrlich.

Fowler’s Solution

1 % potassium arsenite; historic antileukemic remedy.

Antimony

Stibium; antimycin vermicide, historically emetic and expectorant.

Bismuth Subsalicylate

Component of Helidac; anti-H. pylori internal protectant.

Oxygen

Empyreal air; supports combustion; exists as O, O₂, O₃.

Ozone

O₃ allotrope; powerful oxidizer and disinfectant.

Sulfur

Brimstone; exists as rhombic and monoclinic forms; scabicide.

Precipitated Sulfur

‘Milk of sulfur’; fine powder for topical ointments.

Sublimed Sulfur

‘Flowers of sulfur’; formed by vapor deposition.

Sulfurated Potash

K polysulfide mixture; possesses H₂S odor, used in dermatology.

White Lotion

Topical ZnS formed from sulfurated potash + ZnSO₄; antifungal.

Selenium

Trace antioxidant element; used in rubber industry.

Fluorine

Most electronegative element; anticariogenic NaF and SnF₂.

Chlorine

Greenish-yellow gas; disinfects municipal water.

Bromine

Dark fuming liquid; bromide salts are sedatives.

Iodine

Heaviest stable halogen; needed for T₃/T₄ synthesis; used as antiseptic.

Lugol’s Solution

5 % I₂ + KI in water; strong iodine preparation.

Astatine

Radioactive metallic halogen; rarest naturally occurring element.

Helium

Second lightest gas; mixtures with O₂ form artificial air for diving.

Neon

Inert gas used in advertising lighting.

Argon

Provides inert atmosphere replacing N₂ for pharmaceuticals.

Krypton

Investigated inhalational anesthetic gas.

Xenon

Proven inhalational anesthetic; high MW noble gas.

Radon

Radioactive noble gas; used in cervical cancer therapy.