Tellurium(IV) fluoride facts for kids

Tellurium(IV) fluoride, also known as tellurium tetrafluoride, is a chemical compound. This means it's made of two or more different chemical elements joined together. Its chemical formula is TeF₄. This formula tells us it has one tellurium atom (Te) and four fluorine atoms (F). In this compound, tellurium is in a special state called a +4 oxidation state. It also contains fluoride ions, which are fluorine atoms that have gained an electron.

What it Looks Like and How it Reacts

Tellurium(IV) fluoride is a white solid. Imagine a white powder! When it touches water, it reacts to form two new substances: tellurium dioxide and hydrofluoric acid. If you heat it up, it can also react with many different types of metals.

How it is Made

Scientists can make tellurium(IV) fluoride in a few ways. One common method is by mixing tellurium dioxide with another chemical called sulfur tetrafluoride.

Another way to create it is by letting cold fluorine gas react directly with tellurium metal. You can also make it by reacting selenium tetrafluoride with warm tellurium dioxide.

Finally, fluorine gas can react with other tellurium compounds, like tellurium(II) chloride or tellurium(II) bromide, to produce tellurium(IV) fluoride.

Related Compounds

• Tellurium(VI) fluoride
• Tellurium(IV) chloride

Images for kids

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  This image shows how tellurium atoms are arranged in tellurium(IV) fluoride.

See also

In Spanish: Fluoruro de telurio(IV) para niños