Oxides and the Periodic Table

Except for the lighter noble gases, all the elements form oxides. Table 12.2 shows the s- and p-Block elements, indicating the acidity, basicity or amphoteric nature of the oxides. In the amphoteric section the elements underlined are amphoteric in their lower oxidation states and acidic in their higher oxidation states. 

Certain oxides are covalent but are neither acidic nor alkaline examples we have seen so far include CO and N2O. Such oxides are called neutral oxides. 

Oxygen resembles fluorine in many of its properties, for example in its electronegativity and its ability to stabilize high oxidation numbers. The highest oxidation numbers of the elements are found in their oxides and fluorides. 

1 Oxygen is a reactive, gaseous, diatomic molecule constituting approximately 23% of the air we breathe. 

2 The oxygen molecule has a strong double bond owing to both o and n overlap of the 2p orbitals. 

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