By : Belayneh M.

2. Production of Some Important Non-metals

A. Nitrogen(N)
After completing this section, you will be able to:
 describe the main occurrence of nitrogen;
 Outline the production of nitrogen;
 Describe the main chemical properties of nitrogen;
 Cont…
I. Occurrence
Nitrogen occurs in nature in the elemental form.
In the elemental state, it exists as a diatomic molecule,
N2, in atmospheric air.
It constitutes about 80% by volume of the atmosphere.
 It also exists in the form of compounds.
 In the form of compounds, it exists as Sodium nitrate
(Chile salt peter, NaNO3) and Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
also called Saltpetre.
 It is also found in DNA molecules and proteins of all
living things.
Cont…
II. Industrial Production Of Nitrogen
Cont…

Fractional Distillation Of Liquid Air

 Cont…
In the laboratory,
Nitrogen is prepared by warming an aqueous solution
containing ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite.
NH4Cl (aq) + NaNO2 (aq) NaCl (aq) + N2 (g) + 2H2O (l)

III. Physical Properties of Nitrogen

Nitrogen is colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.
It is inert under ordinary conditions, and that is why it
is found in atmospheric air as N2.
The inertness of nitrogen at low temperature is directly
related to the strength of the triple bond, which
requires high energy to break.
Cont…
IV. Chemical Properties of Nitrogen
When heated with reactive metals like lithium, calcium
and magnesium, it forms compounds, known as nitrides.

Nitrogen combines with oxygen at elevated temperatures

or in an electric arc to form oxides.
 Cont…
 Nitric oxide, also called nitrogen monoxide, NO, is a colorless and
reactive gas.
 It forms nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a reddish brown gas, when it
comes into contact with oxygen.
2NO (g) + O2 (g) 2NO2 (g)
 This reddish brown gas dimerizes at low temperatures to give a
colorless gas of dinitrogen tetraoxide, N2O4.
2NO2 (g) N2O4 (g)
 Nitrogen also forms oxides, like dinitrogen monoxide, N2O,
(commonly called laughing gas), dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3)
and dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5).
 Cont…
 Nitrogen reacts directly with hydrogen in the Haber
process to form ammonia.
 In this process, a mixture of N2 and H2 gas, at a pressure
of 200-300atm and a temperature of 400-600°C, is passed
over a catalyst of finely divided iron.

 The ammonia produced by this method is primarily used in the

manufacture of fertilizers.
 It is also used for the production of nitric acid (HNO3).
Cont…
V. Uses of Nitrogen
 Nitrogen is used in food packaging to prevent
oxidation, and to create an inert atmosphere in the
production of semiconductors.
 Liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to preserve
bulls’ semen and blood.
 Its major use is in the production of ammonia. Etc..
 B. Phosphorus(P)
After completing this section, you will be able to:
 describe the main occurrence of phosphorus;
 describe the common allotropic forms of phosphorus;
 outline the extraction of phosphorus;
 describe the main chemical properties of phosphorus;
Cont…
I. Occurrence
 Phosphorus is a relatively abundant element, ranking
12th in the earth’s crust.
 It exists naturally only in the combined state, such
as:
 In rock phosphate, Ca3(PO4)2,
 Fluoroapatite, Ca10(PO4)6F2 or 3Ca3 (PO4)2.CaF2.
 It is also found in teeth, bones and DNA.
Cont…
II. Extraction
 Industrially, white phosphorus is manufactured by
heating a mixture of crushed rock phosphate,
Ca3(PO4)2, silica, SiO2, and coke in an electric furnace.
 The reaction in the furnace is:

 The vaporized phosphorus (P4) is condensed, collected

and stored under water.
 Red phosphorus is prepared by heating white
phosphorus in sunlight for several days.
Cont…
III. Physical Properties of Phosphorus
 Allotropes are different forms of the same
element with the same physical state but with
different physical properties.
 This is due to the difference in the arrangement of
atoms.
 The common allotropic forms of phosphorus are:
 White phosphorus
 Red phosphorus and
 Black phosphorus
Cont…
White phosphorus
 White phosphorus is a very poisonous, white waxy-
looking substance that melts at 44.1°C and boils at
287°C.
 Its density is 1.8 g/cm3.
 It consists of individual tetra-atomic (P4)molecules and
 It is an unstable form of phosphorus.
 It is stored under water because it spontaneously
ignites (bursts into flames) in the presence of oxygen.
Cont…
Red phosphorus
 Red phosphorus denser (2.16 g/cm3) and is much less
reactive than white phosphorus at normal temperatures.
 It consists of P4 molecules linked together to form a
polymer (large molecule).

 Red phosphorus is much less reactive than white

phosphorus and does not need to be stored under water.
Cont…
IV. Chemical Properties of Phosphorus
 Phosphorus exhibits the following common chemical
reactions.
 Phosphorus reacts with limited and excess supplies of
oxygen to form tetraphosphorus hexoxide (P4O6) and
tetraphosphorus decoxide (P4O10) respectively.

 P4O6 and P4O10 dissolve in water to form phosphorous

acid, H3PO3, an orthophsophoric acid, H3PO4
respectively.
 Cont…
 Phosphorus also reacts with limited and excess
supplies of chlorine to form phosphorus(III) chloride
(PCl3) and phosphorus (V) chloride (PCl5)
respectively.

What is the use of Phosphorus in your area?

C. Oxygen
After completing this section, you will be able to:
 describe the main occurrence of oxygen;
 describe the common allotropic forms of oxygen;
 outline the production of oxygen;
 describe the main chemical properties of oxygen;
Cont…
I. Occurrence
 Oxygen is the most abundant element on earth.
 It constitutes about 46.6% by weight of the earth’s
crust in the form of compounds such as oxides,
silicates, carbonates, phosphates etc.
 It exists in nature in the elemental state in atmospheric
air constituting about 20% by volume.
 Furthermore, it is the third most abundant element in
the universe following hydrogen and helium.
Cont…
II. Production of oxygen
Oxygen is manufactured industrially by the
fractional distillation of liquid air in a way similar
to that of nitrogen.
III. Physical properties of oxygen
 It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas
 It readily dissolves in cold water
 It exists in three allotropic forms- monoatomic,
diatomic and triatomic
Cont…
IV. Chemical properties of oxygen
 It is highly reactive and form oxides with almost all
elements except noble gases.
(with metals) 2Mg + O2 2MgO
(with non- metals) S8 + 8O2 8SO2
 Liquid oxygen is strongly paramagnetic
 It supports combustion
C(s) + O2 CO2
Cont…
V. Use of oxygen
 Some of the major applications of oxygen include the following:
 It is used in oxy-acetylene torch for cutting and welding metals.
 It is used to remove carbon impurities from the steel during steel
production.
 A mixture of liquid oxygen and powdered charcoal is used as an
explosive.
 It is used as an oxidant for rocket fuel.
 It is used in large quantities for the synthesis of ethylene oxide,
methanol and ammonia.
 Dissolved oxygen is essential for the life of fish.
 For respiration and breathing system.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2+ 6H2O + ATP ……(respiration).
Etc.
 D. Sulphur(S)
After completing this section, you will be able to:
 describe the main occurrence of sulphur ;
 describe the common allotropic forms of sulphur;
 outline the extraction of sulphur;
 describe the main chemical properties of sulphur;
Cont…
I. Occurrence
 Sulphur is found in nature and in the form of
compounds such as:
 galena (PbS),
 pyrites (FeS2) (fool’s gold ),
 cinnabar (HgS),
 sphalerite (ZnS),
 gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O),
 barite (BaSO4) and
 hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in natural gas and crude oil.
 Cont…
II. Extraction
 Sulphur is extracted from underground deposits of
elemental sulphur by the Frasch process.
 In this process, three concentric pipes are sent down to the
sulphur deposit.
 Superheated water at about 170oC is pumped through the
outermost pipes.
 Hot air is compressed in the innermost tube.
 A froth of sulphur, air and water come out to the surface of
the earth forced by hot compressed air in the middle tube.
 The molten sulphur is then cooled and solidified.
Cont…

Frasch Process for the extraction of sulphur or mining of sulphur

Cont…
III. Physical properties
 Solid at room temperature .
 M.p 115.21 0c,b.p 444.6 0c.
 Sulphur has 25 known isotopes with mass numbers
ranging from 26 to 49, four of which are stable.
 Tasteless and odorless
Cont…
 Sulphur exhibits allotropy.
 The most important allotropes of sulphur are
rhombic and monoclinic sulphur.
 Rhombic sulphur ,a yellow crystalline with a
density of 2.06 g/cm3 at 200c,is the most stable
form of sulphur consisting of S8 molecules.
Cont…
IV. Chemical properties
 Sulphur is a relatively stable and unreactive at room
temperature .
 However, it reacts with metals and nonmetals when
heated and in all form sulphur is insoluble in
water(hydrophobic).
i. Sulphur combines with metals when heated to form
sulphides.
8Fe(s) + S8(s) 8FeS(s)
II. Sulphur burns in oxygen to form oxides.
S8(s)+ 8O2(g) 8SO2(g)
Cont…
 Sulphur is the raw material for the production of sulphuric
acid(H2SO4) by the Contact process.
 This process of sulphuric acid production involves the
following steps.
Step 1: Sulphur is first oxidized to produce sulphur dioxide:
S8(s) + 8O2(g) 8SO2(g)
Step 2: Sulphur dioxide is converted to sulphur trioxide at high temperatures in the presence
of a catalyst:
2SO2(g) + O2 V2O5 2SO3(g)
Step 3: Sulphur trioxide is absorbed into concentrated sulphuric acid to produce oleum
(H2S2O7).
SO3(g) + H2SO4(l) H2S2O7(l)
Step 4: The oleum is then diluted with water to produce the desired concentration of
sulphuric acid. Commercially used concentrated sulphuric acid is 98% H2SO4.
H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l) 2H2SO4(aq)
 Cont…
V. Uses of Sulphur
 Sulphur (is an essential component of all living cells, 7th or
8th most abundant element in human body by weight) is used
as :
 A fertilizer
 In pharmaceuticals(specifically octasulphur, S8 are used to make
drugs, sulpa drugs), dyestuffs and agrochemicals (pesticides,
weed killers...)
 The production of H2SO4 (the main use of sulphur,
approximately 85% of sulphur is converted to sulphuric acid
).And the main use of sulphuric acid is in industrial sphere.
Because of its importance, sulphuric acid is considered an
excellent indicator of a country’s industrial wellbeing.
 E. Chlorine(Cl)
After completing this section, you will be able to:
 describe the main occurrence of chlorine;
 outline the extraction of chlorine;
 describe the main chemical properties of chlorine;
Cont…
I. Occurrence
 Chlorine belongs to group VIIA, known as the
halogens.
 It is the most abundant element among the halogens.
 It is found in nature in the form of compounds only.
 Chlorine is found in nature chiefly in the form of
chlorides of sodium, potassium, calcium and
magnesium.
 Sodium chloride is the chief source of chlorine, and it
is obtained from seawater or as deposits of rock salt.
Cont..
II. Extraction
 Commercially, chlorine is manufactured by the
electrolysis of a concentrated aqueous solution of
sodium chloride.
 During electrolysis of the concentrated solution,
chlorine is formed at the anode and the reduction
of water occurs at the cathode, producing hydrogen
gas and hydroxide ions (OH–).
 Cont…

The electrode and the overall cell reactions are as follows:

Cont…
III. Physical properties
 Chlorine is a very irritating and greenish-yellow gas.
 It has a strong smell like bleach.
 It can be made into a liquid when cooled.
 It is heavier than air.
 It melts at –102°C and boils at –34°C.
 It is fairly soluble in water.
 It is extremely poisonous, causing inflammation of the
lungs and mucous membranes if inhaled, even in very small
amounts.
 It is fatal if inhaled in higher amounts.
Cont…
IV. Chemical Properties of Chlorine
 Chlorine is a highly reactive non-metal.
 It reacts directly with almost all elements except the
noble gases, carbon and nitrogen.
 It is a powerful oxidizing agent and oxidizes most of
the elements with which it reacts.
 The following are the main reactions of chlorine.
 Chlorine reacts with heated metals to form chloride
salts
2Fe (s) + 3Cl2 (g) 2FeCl3 (s)
2Al (s) + 3Cl2 (g) 2AlCl3 (s)
Cont…
 Chlorine reacts smoothly with hydrogen, in the
presence of a charcoal as a catalyst, at room
temperature to form hydrogen chloride.
H2 (g) + Cl2 (g) 2HCl (g)
 Chlorine displaces less reactive halogens (Br2 and I2)
from aqueous solutions of their compounds.
Cl2 (g) + 2KBr (aq) 2KCl (aq) + Br2 (l)
Cl2 (g) + 2Kl (aq) 2KCl (aq) + l2 (aq)
Cont…
 Chlorine dissolves in water and reacts with it, forming
an acidic solution containing hydrochloric acid (HCl)
and hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
Cl2(g) + H2O(l) HCl(aq) + HOCl(aq)
 This type of reaction is called a disproportionation
reaction, where chlorine is itself reduced and oxidized.
 Cont… V. Uses of chlorine
 Chlorine is used widely to purify water (usually in a swimming
pool), as a disinfectant and bleach, and in the making of many
important compounds including chloroform and carbon
tetrachloride.
 It was used as a poison gas in some wars.
 For example in first world war Germans was the first to use
this toxic gas.
 Chlorine plays an important role in medical science.
 It is not only used as a disinfectant, but it is also a constituent
of various medicines.
 One of the most commonly used chlorine-containing
substances is PVC (poly vinyl chloride). PVC is widely used,
for example in drainpipes, insulation wires, floors, windows,
bottles and waterproof clothes.
 Exercise
1. What are the main natural sources of N, P, O, S, and Cl?
2. Describe the main processes involved in the production
(extraction) of N, P, O, S and Cl?
3. How do N, P, and S behave when heated in air?
4. Write an equation for the reaction of chlorine with water?
5. Consult the books present in your library (internet) and
describe with the aid of labeled diagrams the laboratory
preparation of following molecules:
A. N2 B. Cl2