Hydrogen selenide facts for kids
Hydrogen selenide, also known as hydroselenic acid, selenium hydride, or selane, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is H2Se. It is an acid. This means it can release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. It contains hydrogen and selenide ions.
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What is Hydrogen Selenide?
Hydrogen selenide is a gas that you can't see because it's colorless. It has a very strong, unpleasant smell, a bit like rotten horseradish. It's extremely dangerous and poisonous, so it must be handled with great care.
Properties of Hydrogen Selenide
Hydrogen selenide can dissolve in water, and when it does, it makes the water acidic. It can catch fire easily, and when it burns, it creates another chemical called selenium dioxide. This gas is similar to hydrogen sulfide, which is the gas that makes rotten eggs smell so bad. Hydrogen selenide is also a powerful chemical that can react with other substances in a special way, often by adding hydrogen or removing oxygen.
How is Hydrogen Selenide Made?
Scientists can make hydrogen selenide in a couple of ways:
- One way is by mixing a chemical called aluminium selenide with water. This process is called hydrolysis, and it also creates aluminium hydroxide.
- Another way to make it is by heating up hydrogen gas and powdered selenium together at a very high temperature.
Uses of Hydrogen Selenide
Hydrogen selenide has a few important uses in chemistry:
- It can be used to add a special part called a 'selenide ion' to other chemicals, especially those found in organic chemistry (the study of carbon-based compounds).
- It can also be used to create pure selenium. This happens when hydrogen selenide reacts with sulfur dioxide, producing selenium, sulfur, and water.
Related Compounds
Images for kids
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Structural diagram of the hydrogen selenide molecule
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Space-filling model of the hydrogen selenide molecule
See also
In Spanish: Seleniuro de hidrógeno para niños
