Physical Properties:
Group 14 elements are less electropositive than group 13 owing to their small size and high
ionization enthalpy. Down the group, the metallic character increases. C and Si are non-metals,
Ge a metalloid, and Sn and Pb are soft metals with low melting points. Melting and Boiling
Points: Carbon, silicon, and germanium have extremely high melting and boiling points due to
their extremely stable solid structures.
Oxides of Group 14:
Group 14 elements form oxides of the type MO and MO2. Lead also form an oxide Pb3O4 which
is a mixed oxide of PbO and PbO2. Among the monoxides, CO is neutral; GeO is basic while
SnO and PbO are amphoteric.
Hydrides of group 14 elements
Compound Chemical
formula
carbon tetrahydride hydrogen carbide methane (carbane) CH4
silicon tetrahydride hydrogen silicide (silane) SiH4
germanium tetrahydride hydrogen germanide (germane) GeH4
tin tetrahydride hydrogen stannide (stannane) SnH4
Cyanogen
Cyanogen is the chemical compound with the formula (CN)2. It is
a colorless and highly toxic gas with a pungent odor. The molecule is
a pseudohalogen. Cyanogen molecules consist of two CN groups –
analogous to diatomic halogen molecules, such as Cl2, but far less
oxidizing.
Cyanogen is the anhydride of oxamide:
Group 14 elements are less electropositive than group 13 owing to their small size and high
ionization enthalpy. Down the group, the metallic character increases. C and Si are non-metals,
Ge a metalloid, and Sn and Pb are soft metals with low melting points. Melting and Boiling
Points: Carbon, silicon, and germanium have extremely high melting and boiling points due to
their extremely stable solid structures.
Oxides of Group 14:
Group 14 elements form oxides of the type MO and MO2. Lead also form an oxide Pb3O4 which
is a mixed oxide of PbO and PbO2. Among the monoxides, CO is neutral; GeO is basic while
SnO and PbO are amphoteric.
Hydrides of group 14 elements
Compound Chemical
formula
carbon tetrahydride hydrogen carbide methane (carbane) CH4
silicon tetrahydride hydrogen silicide (silane) SiH4
germanium tetrahydride hydrogen germanide (germane) GeH4
tin tetrahydride hydrogen stannide (stannane) SnH4
Cyanogen
Cyanogen is the chemical compound with the formula (CN)2. It is
a colorless and highly toxic gas with a pungent odor. The molecule is
a pseudohalogen. Cyanogen molecules consist of two CN groups –
analogous to diatomic halogen molecules, such as Cl2, but far less
oxidizing.
Cyanogen is the anhydride of oxamide:
