Oxygen, symbols of the elements O, located in the periodic table of the second-period ⅥA group oxygen atom. In 1774, British scientist J. Joseph Priestley used a lens to focus sunlight on oxidized mercury and found a gas that strongly assisted combustion.

Antoine – Laurent Lavoisier (Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier) studied this gas and the correct interpretation of the role of this gas in the combustion.

Oxygen is the most abundant and widely distributed element in the earth ‘s crust, and it is also the most important element in the biological and non-biological world. The content of the crust is 48.6%. Elemental oxygen accounts for 20.9% of the atmosphere.

Element Introduction

Oxygen is a chemical element, atomic number 8, the relative atomic mass of 16.00. In the periodic table, oxygen is a member of the oxygen group. It is also a highly reactive second-cycle non-metallic element that easily forms compounds (mainly oxides) with almost all other elements.

Under standard conditions, two oxygen atoms combine to form oxygen, which is a colorless, odorless and tasteless diatomic gas with the chemical formula O2.

If calculated by mass, oxygen is second only to hydrogen and helium in the universe, and oxygen is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Oxygen not only accounts for 89% of the water quality but also accounts for 20.9% of the air volume.

All major compounds that make up an organism contain oxygen, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

The main inorganic compounds that make up the shell, teeth, and bones of the animal also contain oxygen. The oxygen chemical formula produced by photosynthesis of cyanobacteria, algae, and plants is O2, and oxygen is required for the cellular respiration of almost all complex organisms.

Animals, except for a very small number, cannot survive without oxygen for life. But for anaerobic organisms such as tetanus, oxygen is toxic.

This type of anaerobic organism was once the main organism on the early Earth, and oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere until 2.5 billion years ago. Another allotrope of oxygen is ozone.

The ozone layer formed at high altitudes is able to isolate ultraviolet radiation from the sun. But ozone close to the surface is a kind of pollution, which is mainly found in photochemical smog.

Physical Properties

Basic Information (Oxygen Symbol)

Oxygen is a chemical element which atomic number is 8, the relative atomic mass is 15.9994. It is represented by the symbol “O”.




Oxygen Isotopes

There are seventeen known oxygen isotope species, including oxygen-12 to oxygen-28, among which oxygen-16, oxygen-17, and oxygen-18 are stable, and other known isotopes are radioactive with half-life.

Isotopes Oxygen

All are less than three minutes. The protons generated by the medical cyclotron are bombarded with oxygen -18 in the heavy oxygen water, and the (p, n) nuclear reaction is obtained to obtain the positron-emitting radioisotope fluorine-18 ion for synthesizing positron emission computed tomography.

Chemical Properties

Oxygen, non-metallic and electrically negative after fluorine, in addition to helium, neon, argon, krypton, all elements

In general, most aqueous solutions of non-metal oxidesare acidic, while alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxides are basic.

In addition, most organic compounds can be burned in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor, such as alcohol and methane. Some organic matter nonflammable, and oxygen but can also be an oxidant occurs an oxidation reaction.

Oxygen valence:

The valence of oxygen is very specific and generally is -2 and 0. Oxygen is usually -1 in peroxide.

In superoxide as -1/2, ozonide oxygen was -1/3, herein referred to as an apparent valence is the valence of the surface out no real meaning, superoxide oxygen valences can only be said to be superoxide ions, cannot look at each atom separately, because the electrons are quantized.

Experiments have shown that all metals except gold react with oxygen to form metal oxides.

Such as platinum at high-temperature pure oxygen is generated in the oxidized platinum dioxide, oxygen and gold are generally considered not react, but Gold (III) oxide and gold hydroxide and other compounds in which gold is trivalent; and oxygen can not chlorine, Bromine, iodine reacts, but ozone can oxidize them. oxygen atom

It belongs to the VIA family element in the periodic table, and the valence is generally 0 and -2. Most of the elements form oxides when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. There are many elements that can form more than one oxide.

Oxygen molecules from hydrated crystals O2·H2O and O2· H2O2 at low temperatures, the latter being less stable.

The solubility of oxygen in water is 4.89 ml / 100 ml water (0 °C), which is the basis of living organisms in the water. Oxygen is the first in abundance in the earth’s crust. The dry air contains 20.946% by volume of oxygen, the water has 88.81% by weight of oxygen.

In addition to O16, there are also isotopes such as O17 and O18. Common oxidation states are -I, -II, 0. The covalent radius is 66 pm, the first ionization potential is 1314 kJ/mol, and the electronegativity is 3.44.

Reaction with metal

Chemical Equation


Reaction with potassium4K+O 2 =2K 2 OPotassium Surface Darkens
2K+O 2 =K 2 O 2
K+O 2 =KO 2 ( potassium superoxide )
2K+3O 2 = 2KO 3 ( potassium ozonide )
Reaction with sodium4Na+O 2 =2Na 2 ODarkening of the surface of sodium
2Na+O 2 =Na 2 O 2Produces a yellow flame, releasing a lot of heat to produce a light yellow powder
Reaction with magnesium2Mg+O 2 = ignition = 2MgOIntense burning produces a dazzling glare that releases a lot of heat and produces a white powdery solid.
Reaction with aluminum4Al+3O 2 = ignition = 2Al 2 O 3Gives a bright light that emits heat and produces a white solid.
Reaction with iron(formation of rust)
3Fe+2O 2 = ignition = Fe 3 O 4The red hot wire burns fiercely, and Mars radiates a lot of heat, producing a black solid.
Reaction with zinc2Zn+O 2 = ignition = 2ZnO
Reaction with copper2Cu+O2=heating=2CuOThe surface of the bright red copper wire after heating generates a layer of black matter.
Reaction with mercury2Hg+O 2 = heating = 2HgOThe silver-white liquid turns red solid after heating


Reaction with Non-Metals

Chemical equationphenomenon
Reaction with hydrogen2H2 + O2 = ignition = 2H2OBurns quietly, producing a light blue flame that produces water and gives off a lot of heat.
Reaction with carbonC+O2 = ignition = CO2It burns violently, emits white light, and releases heat to generate a gas that makes the clarified lime water turbid.
2C + O2 = ignition = 2CO (when oxygen is insufficient)
Reaction with sulfurS + O2 = ignition = SO2Burning in the air, emitting a weak light blue flame; burning more vigorously in pure oxygen, emitting a blue-violet flame, releasing heat to generate a gas with a pungent odor. The gas can make the clarified lime water turbid and can cause the acid potassium permanganate solution or the magenta solution to fade, and the faded magenta solution returns to red after heating.
Reaction with red phosphorus4P + 5O2 = ignition = 2P2O5It glows white and radiates heat, generating a lot of white smoke. oxygen atom
Reaction with white phosphorusP4 + 5O2 = ignition = 2P2O5When white phosphorus is higher than 44 degrees Celsius, it will spontaneously ignite in oxygen, and it will generate heat and generate white smoke.
Reaction with nitrogenN2 + O2 = high temperature or discharge = 2NO


Reaction with Organic Matter

For example, methane, acetylene, alcohol, paraffin, etc. can be burned in oxygen to form water and carbon dioxide.

The combustion of gaseous hydrocarbons usually emits a bright blue flame, releasing a large amount of heat, generating water and gas that makes the clarified lime water turbid.

MethaneCH4 + 2O2 = ignition = CO2 + 2H2O
EthyleneC2H4 + 3O2 = ignition = 2CO2 + 2H2O
Acetylene2C2H2 + 5O2 = ignition = 4CO2 + 2H2O
benzene2C6H6 + 15O2 = ignition = 12CO2 +6H2OWhen burning in the air, the flame is bright and dark smoke.
Methanol2CH 3 OH+3O2 = ignition = 2CO2 + 4H2O
EthanolCH3CH2OH + 3O2 = ignition = 2CO2 + 3H2O
formaldehydeHCHO+O2 = ignition = CO2 + H2O
Acetic acidCH3COOH + 2O2 = ignition = 2CO2 + 2H2O
The general formula for the combustion of carbon oxyhydroxide with oxygen4CxHyOz + (4x + y – 2z )O2 = ignition = 4 x CO2 + 2 yH2O

(Should pay attention to simplification after the completion of the formula! The same below)

Hydrocarbon combustion4CxHy + (4x + y)O2 =ignition= 4xCO2 + 2yH2O
Ethanol is oxidized by oxygenThis reaction consists of two steps:
The reaction of chloroform with oxygen2CHCl3 + O2 = 2COCl2 (phosgene) + 2HCl


Other Chemical Reactions Involving Oxygen　

Hydrogen Sulfide Combustion2H2S + 3O2 (excess) = ignition = 2H2O + 2SO2

2H2S + O2 (small amount) = ignition = 2H2O + 2S

Calcined Pyrite4FeS2 + 11O2 = high temperature = 2Fe2O3 + 8SO2
Catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide2SO2 + O2 ← Catalyst, △→ 2SO3
Formation of Sulfuric Acid rain in the air2SO2 + O2 + 2H2O = 2H2SO4
Ammonia Burning in Pure Oxygen4NH 3 +3O 2 (pure) = ignition = 2N 2 +6H2O
Catalytic Oxidation of Ammonia4NH3 + 5O2 = heating, catalyst = 4NO + 6H2O (catalyst is generally copper)
Nitric Oxide and Oxygen Reaction2NO+O2 = 2NO2
Converted to Ozone Reaction3O2 = discharge = 2O3 (the reaction is a reversible reaction)


Preparation method

Laboratory method

  1. Heat potassium permanganate or potassium manganate.

Oxygen Atom


  1. Manganese dioxide and potassium chlorate are heated together.

Oxygen valence

(The oxygen produced contains a small amount of Cl2, O3 and trace amounts of ClO2 some of the textbooks have been deleted,

The reaction is actually an exothermic reaction, rather than an endothermic reaction, and the above 1 mol reaction occurs, exothermic 108 kJ).

  1. Hydrogen peroxide solution decomposition catalyst.

Industrial law

  1. Separation of liquid air method

Pressurizing at low temperature to convert air into a liquid, and then evaporating. Since the boiling point of liquid nitrogen is ‐196° C., which is lower than the boiling point of liquid oxygen (‐183° C.), nitrogen is first evaporated from liquid air, leaving The main thing is liquid oxygen.

The main components in the air are oxygen and nitrogen. Using oxygen and nitrogen at different boiling points, the preparation of oxygen from the air is called air separation. oxygen atom

First, the air is pre-cooled and purified (removing a small amount of moisture in the air, carbon dioxide, acetylene, hydrocarbons, and other impurities such as gases and dust), and then compressed and cooled to make it liquid air.

Then, using the difference in boiling points of oxygen and nitrogen, the liquid air is evaporated and condensed multiple times in the rectification column, and oxygen and nitrogen are separated to obtain pure oxygen (which can achieve 99.6% purity) and pure nitrogen (which can be reached). 99.9% purity). oxygen atom

If add some additional means may further extract argon, neon, helium, krypton, xenon, air content is an extremely rare inert gas. The oxygen produced by the air separation unit is compressed by the compressor, and finally, the compressed oxygen is stored in a high-pressure steel cylinder or directly sent to the factory or workshop through a pipeline.

The use of this method to produce oxygen, although the need for large-scale equipment and strict safe operation technology, but the output is high, can produce thousands of cubic meters of oxygen per hour, and the raw materials used are simply not to buy, do not use Since the air stored in the warehouse is not used, the first cryogenic air separation oxygen generator has been developed since 1903. This oxygen production method has been the most widely used.

  1. Membrane Separation Technology

Membrane separation technology has developed rapidly. With this technique, oxygen-enriched oxygen-enriched air can be obtained by passing air through a membrane having an oxygen-rich function under a certain pressure. With this membrane for multi-stage separation, oxygen-enriched air of more than 90% oxygen can be obtained.

  1. Molecular Sieve Oxygen Production Method (adsorption method)

The nitrogen molecules are separated from the oxygen in the air using a special molecular sieve using the characteristics of the nitrogen molecules larger than the oxygen molecules.

First, the compressor is used to force the dry air into the vacuum pump through the molecular sieve. The nitrogen molecules in the air are adsorbed by the molecular sieve, and the oxygen enters the adsorber.

When the oxygen in the adsorber reaches a certain amount (the pressure reaches a certain level) When you can open the oxygen outlet valve to release oxygen. oxygen atom

After a period of time, the nitrogen adsorbed by the molecular sieve gradually increases, the adsorption capacity is weakened, and the purity of the produced oxygen is lowered. It is necessary to evacuate the nitrogen adsorbed on the molecular sieve by a vacuum pump and then repeat the above process. oxygen atom

This method of producing oxygen is also called adsorption method. A small oxygen generator using oxygen by adsorption method has been developed, which is convenient for household use.

  1. Electrolytic Oxygen Method

Put the water into the electrolytic cell, add sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to increase the degree of electrolysis of the water, and then pass the direct current, the water will be decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen.

One cubic meter of oxygen per system is obtained, and two cubic meters of hydrogen are obtained at the same time.

It takes 12 to 15 kWh to produce one cubic meter of oxygen by electrolysis, which is uneconomical compared with the power consumption of the above two methods (0.55 to 0.60 kWh).

Therefore, the electrolysis method is not suitable for a large amount of oxygen production. In addition, the hydrogen produced at the same time is collected in the air if it is not properly collected. If it is mixed with oxygen, it is prone to extremely severe explosion. Therefore, the electrolysis method is also not suitable for household oxygen production.

Existing form

Simple substance


Oxygen, one of the main components of air, is heavier than air and has a density of 1.429 g/l under standard conditions (0 ° C, 101,325 Pa). Colorless and tasteless.  oxygen atom

The solubility in water is very small, and the solubility at 273k is 49.1 mol/L. At a pressure of 101 kPa, oxygen becomes a pale blue liquid at about -183 degrees Celsius and a snow-like pale blue solid at about -218 degrees Celsius. The oxygen molecules are paramagnetic.


At normal temperature, it is a blue gas with a fishy smell. Ozone is mainly present in the ozone layer at the top of the stratosphere 20 to 35 km from the Earth’s surface.  oxygen atom

Under normal temperature and pressure, the stability is extremely poor, and it can be decomposed into oxygen by itself at normal temperature. Ozone is highly irritating, and excessive inhalation poses a certain hazard to human health.

The melting point is 21K, the boiling point is 160.6K, and the solubility is relatively large, and it is 494mol/L at 273k. It has diamagnetic properties.



Almost all of the previously mentioned elements can react with oxygen, and the binary compound in which only oxygen and another element are present in the compound is an oxide such as water, CO2. oxygen atom


Oxides are various and mainly divided into acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric oxides, non-salt oxides, and pseudo-oxides. In addition, some groups containing only oxygen can form oxides, which are classified into peroxides, superoxides, and ozonides.

Oxygenated compound

Oxygenates generally refers to all compounds containing oxygen, which are larger than the oxide range and are not required for the type of elements of the constituent materials.


Four polyoxyethylenes (O4)

The oxygen molecule can be stably present, and the configuration is expected to be a regular tetrahedron or a rectangle, from the two configurations of the neutral molecule O4. oxygen atom

The positive monovalent molecule O4+ and the negative monovalent molecule O4  the ground state electronic structure and the principle of minimum energy determine.

The respective structural parameters and the total energy, monovalent ionization energy and electron affinity potential of the two structures of O4 molecules are obtained.

Compared with the calculation results of the oxygen atom, ordinary oxygen molecule O2, and ozone molecule O3, it is shown that the O4 molecule can exist in a square structure or a regular tetrahedral structure, wherein the square structure is more likely to be the real space structure of the O4 molecule.

Red oxygen (O8)

As the pressure of oxygen exceeds 10 GPa at room temperature, it will unexpectedly phase change into another allotrope. Its volume has plummeted and its color has changed from blue to deep red.

Red oxygen

This ε phase was discovered in 1979, but its structure was not clear at the time. Based on its infrared absorption spectrum, in 1999, the researchers concluded that this phase is a crystal of O4 molecules.

But in 2006, X-ray crystallography showed that this stable phase, called ε oxygen or red oxygen, was actually O8. This structure has not been theoretically predicted: a diamond-shaped O8 cluster consisting of four O2 molecules.