Oxygen (O2):

 It is the most abundant element and is about 47% by mass on earth crust in the form of
oxides and oxysalts.
 Natural oxygen is mixture of three isotopes: 16 O (99.76%) 17 O (0.04%) 18O(0.2%)

Symbol : O
Atomic number : 8
Atomic weight : 16 a.m.u
Valency : 2
Electronic Configuration : 1S2 2S2 2P4
Electo-negativity : 3.5
Allotropy:
Elements having different physical properties but same chemical properties are known as
allotropes. They are the forms of same element differing in the nature of bond or in their
crystal structure (diamond and graphite).
The ability of an element to exist in more than one physical form having the same physical
state is called allotropy

Allotropes of Oxygen:
Oxygen occurs in nature in two allotropic forms. One is diatomic molecular form (O 2) and the
other is triatomic molecular form, ozone (O3). O2 is more stable than O3 and O3 is more
powerful oxidant than O2 . Chemically, oxygen and ozone are similar but they differ in
physical character. Hence called as allotropes.
 • Oxides
Oxides are the binary compounds oxygen bonded with less electronegative element ..
Oxygen, being highly reactive, combines directly with all the elements except the noble
gases and the noble metals (Au, Pd, Pt) to form the oxides. Binary compound of oxygen
with flourine like OF2 O2F2 etc are not oxides since F is more elctronegative.
On the basis of acidic or basic behaviour and structural considerations, oxides are
classified into the followings:
• Types of oxides:
1) Acidic oxide:
All oxides of non –metals are called acidic oxide. Acidic oxide react with water to give
acid. So, they are called as hydride of acid. SO2 , SO3, CO2, I2O5, P2O5, NO2, N2O5, etc are
some example of acidic oxide.
N2O 3 + H2O  2HNO2 (nitrous acid)

CO2 + H2O  H2CO3 (carbonic acid)

SO 3 + H2O  H2SO4 (Sulphuric acid)

P2O5 + H2O  H3PO4 (phosphoric acid)

2) Basic oxide:
Except oxides of (Zn, Al and Pb) all the oxides of metals are basic oxide. CaO, CuO, FeO,
BaO, Ag2O are some example of basic oxide.
Basic oxide reacts with water to give base or alkali (water soluble bases are called alkali).

Na2 O + H 2O  2NaOH

K2O + H 2O  2KOH

CaO + H 2O  Ca(OH)2

CuO + H2O  Cu(OH)2

FeO + H 2O  Fe(OH)2
Oxides of d block elements in the lower oxidation state are basic. they are not soluble in water
3) Neutral oxide:
A neutral oxide is the one which shows neither basic or acidic character. It is neutral
towards litmus paper. H2O, N2O,CO and NO are some example of neutral oxide.

4) Amphoteric oxide:
An amphoteric oxide is a metallic oxide which can show both basic and acidic properties.
i.e. it can react with both strong acid and strong base to produce salt and water. Oxide of Zn,
As, Pd, Al , Sb, Be are called amphoteric oxide.

ZnO + 2HCl  ZnCl2 + H 2O

Basic oxide Acid salt water

ZnO + 2NaOH  Na2 ZnO2 + H 2O

Acidic oxide Base (Sod. zincate) salt water
5) Peroxides:
Peroxides are the oxides which contain peroxide linkage (-O-O-) and oxygen has -1 oxidation
state. They react with dilute acid to give H2O2 and salt. K2O2, BaO2, Na2O2, etc are the example
of peroxides.

Na2O2 + 2 HCl  2 NaCl + H2O2

BaO2 + 2 HCl  BaCl 2 + H2O2

 Application of H2O2
 H2O2 is a mild antiseptic used on the skin to prevent infection of minor cut, scrapes and
burns.
 Used as a mouth rinse to help remove mucus.
 Used as a bleaching agent in some food products and also in water treatment.
6) Mixed Oxides:
• Mixed oxides contain mixture of two simple oxides of same element in different
oxidation state. Lower oxidation state is called ‘ous’ and higher oxidation state is
called ‘ic’. Example of mixed oxides are:
• Fe3O4 (FeO + Fe2O3) Ferrosoferic oxide
• Pb3O4 (2PbO + PbO2) Trilead teroxide

7) Super oxides- The type of oxides in which oxygen is present in -1/2 oxidation state
due to the presence of O2-ion is called super oxides. For example- KO2, RbO2 and
CsO2 are super oxides.
Medical and Industrial application of oxygen
1. It is used as an aid to breathing where the natural supply of oxygen is
insufficient.
2. Oxy hydrogen flame and oxy acetylene flame can be used for
welding and cutting very thick steel plate.
3. Used as strong oxidizing agent.
4. Used as fuel for rocket and missiles. etc
 Practice Questions
1. Write an example of peroxide and super oxide.
2. Classify the following oxides: Na2O2, CuO, CO, H2O and
CO2 with reasons.
3. Application of H2 O2
4. Differentiate between O2 and O3