Synthesis, Structure, and Solution Properties
The synthesis is typically conducted using ammonia as the solvent.
Na2Te, like many related compounds with the formula M2X, adopts the antifluorite structure. Thus, in solid Na2Te each Te2− ion is surrounded by eight Na+ ions and each Na+ ion is surrounded by four Te2− ions.
Simple salts of the type M2X, where X is a monoatomic anion, are not typically soluble in any solvent because they have a high lattice energy. Upon addition of water - even moist air - or treatment with alcohols, Te2− protonates:
- Na2Te + H2O → NaHTe + NaOH
Because of this reaction, many processes attributed to Na2Te may involve NaHTe (CAS # 65312-92-7), which is more soluble and formed readily.
Read more about this topic: Sodium Telluride
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