Metalloid for carbon in steel casting. Of the non-metallic elements less often recognised as metalloids, selenium—in the form of ferroselenium (50–58% selenium)—is used to improve the machinability of stainless steels. All six of the elements commonly recognised as metalloids have toxic, dietary or medicinal properties. Arsenic and antimony compounds are especially toxic; boron, silicon, and possibly arsenic, are essential trace elements. Boron, silicon, arsenic, and antimony have medical applications, and germanium and tellurium are thought to have potential. Boron is used in insecticides and herbicides. It is an essential trace element. As boric acid, it has antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Tellurium hexafluoride Tellurium hexafluoride Tellurium hexafluoride is a chemical compound of tellurium and fluorine with the chemical formula TeF. It is a colorless, highly toxic gas with an extremely unpleasant smell. Tellurium hexafluoride is most commonly prepared by passing fluorine gas over tellurium at 150 °C. Below this temperature a mixture of lower fluorides form, including tellurium tetrafluoride and ditellurium decafluoride. It can also be prepared by passing fluorine gas over TeO or indirectly by reacting TeO with SeF to produce TeF and then heating TeF in excess of 200 °C to make TeF and Te. Tellurium hexafluoride is a highly symmetric