tellurium [Te]

Introduction

From the Latin tellus meaning earth. Discovered in 1782 by Franz J Muller in Transylvania. Published in 1798 by German chemist Marin H Kalproth who gave credit to Muller for its discovery.

Occurrence

• occasionally found native
• more often found in calaverite or other minerals
• recovered commercially as a by-product of copper refining
• tellurium compounds occur widely in plants
  • onions, peas, tea
  • highest amounts found in garlic (31-73 ug/g)

Characteristics

• semimetallic element related to selenium & sulfur
• silvery white brittle crystalline form with metallic luster when pure
• dark amorphous form is more common
• low conductivity
• burns in air or oxygen
• forms Te-2
• ingestion causes garlic-like breath
• sodium tellurate may be toxic

Uses

• alloys with copper, steel, lead
• blasting caps & ceramics

More general terms

• chemical element

Additional terms

• periodic table

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=66223