Tellurite

Tellurite

Names
Systematic IUPAC name Tellurite (substitutive) Trioxidotellurate(2−) (additive)
Identifiers
CAS Number	15852-22-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:30477
ChemSpider	102958 Y
Gmelin Reference	100741
PubChem CID	115037
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10894775
InChI InChI=1S/H2O3Te/c1-4(2)3/h(H2,1,2,3)/p-2 Y Key: SITVSCPRJNYAGV-UHFFFAOYSA-L Y
SMILES [O-][Te]([O-])=O
Properties
Chemical formula	O3Te2−
Molar mass	175.6 g mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

The tellurite ion is TeO²⁻
₃. A tellurite (compound), for example sodium tellurite, is a compound that contains this ion. Tellurites are highly stable tellurium compounds, although they can be reduced to elemental tellurium by electrolysis or a strong reducing agent.

Acidified forms

In slightly acidic conditions, hydrogen tellurite ion, HTeO⁻
₃, is prevalent; with more acidic conditions tellurous acid, H₂TeO₃, is prevalent. Only in basic conditions is tellurite formed.

Preparation

Most tellurite compounds can be formed by heating the relevant oxide with tellurium dioxide, e.g., Na₂O + TeO₂ → Na₂TeO₃.

Uses

Potassium tellurite (K₂TeO₃) is used together with agar as part of a selective medium for growth of some bacteria (Clauberg medium). Corynebacteria and some other species reduce TeO²⁻
₃ to elemental Te, which stains the bacteria black.

See also

• List of tellurites