Trisulphates of unusual tellurium cations

Abstract

Tellurium forms red and yellow solutions when dissolved in disulphuric acid. From u.v., cryoscopic, conductance, and magnetic susceptibility measurements, it has been found that the red and yellow solutions are due to Te₄²⁺ and Te₂²⁺ cations respectively. Solid compounds of composition Te₄S₃O₁₀ and Te₂S₃O₁₀ have been obtained on treating tellurium with sulphur trioxide. From u.v. and i.r. spectra, cryoscopic and conductance studies in highly acidic media it has been found that these compounds are ionic in nature and tellurium is present as cation in an unusual oxidation state.