Selenium: Its Role and Importance in Chemistry

by Yuvi K - December 21, 2023

What is Selenium and its Role in Chemistry

Selenium is an important chemical element known for its silvery-white appearance and wide variety of uses. It is a semi-metal, also known as a ‘metalloid’, found in the group 16 of the periodic table of elements. Selenium has many uses in the fields of chemistry, medicine, as well as computer engineering, due to the unique properties it possesses.

In chemistry, selenium plays an important role as a catalyst in chemical reactions, a reaction which speeds up a process without being permanently changed itself. It is also used as an oxidizing agent in chemical reactions and as a probe in microscopy and spectroscopy.

History and Discovery of Selenium

Selenium was discovered over 200 years ago in 1817 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius while he was analyzing a sulfuric acid. Berzelius was able to isolate selenium from the acid and thus elucidated its nature as a unique element. Since then, selenium has been studied in various fields; having many diverse and interesting uses.

Properties of Selenium

Selenium has various properties that make it unique. It is a very brittle semi-metal that is toxic in its pure form in certain concentrations. Selenium also has an anode x-ray which is much larger than that of other non-metals; it is four orders of magnitude larger than hydrogen’s anode.

Uses of Selenium in Chemistry

Selenium is used in many different applications in chemistry, especially in catalytic processes. Here are some of the common uses of selenium in chemistry:

Catalysis

Catalysts are substances that can speed up a chemical reaction without having to be changed themselves. Selenium is a great source of this type of catalytic activity and has been used in a variety of industrial applications. It is used to catalyze hydrogenation reactions, oxidation reactions and polymerization of hydrocarbons.

Oxidizing Agent

Selenium is also a great oxidizing agent, meaning that it can donate an electron in oxidation-reduction reactions. It can be used as an oxidizing agent in the production of soda ash via the Solvay process, as well as in the electrochemical conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Selenium is also used to make antifoam additives for industrial products and can be used as a textile colorant.

Probes in Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Selenium is used as a probe in both microscopy and spectroscopy, which are two forms of analyzing and quantifying chemicals. This means that selenium can be used to detect the presence or quantity of certain substances in a sample. Selenium has been used to detect nitrogen-containing compounds in the environment, as well as in food and drugs.

Benefits of Selenium in Chemistry

Selenium has many beneficial applications in the field of chemistry. Here are some the advantages of using selenium in chemistry processes:

Cost-efficiency

Selenium is a relatively inexpensive element, making it a cost-effective choice for many chemical processes. This is especially true in industrial applications, where selenium’s cost-effectiveness can make a huge difference in the cost of production.

Stability

Selenium is very stable in terms of its chemical properties, meaning that it can remain unchanged during chemical processes. This makes it an ideal choice for applications where precise chemicals are required.

Toxicity

Although selenium is toxic in its pure form, its toxicity decreases as it is mixed with other elements. This makes it a great choice for various industrial applications, since it can be used without causing any adverse health effects on the environment or people.

Conclusion

Selenium is an important element with a variety of uses in the fields of chemistry, medicine and computer engineering. It has many valuable properties, including being cost-effective, stable and low in toxicity. Selenium is an essential element in numerous chemical processes, and its use is sure to continue to be important in the future.