GCSE CHEMISTRY - How do the Halogens react with Metals? - How do Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine, react with Metals?

The Halogens - Reactions with Metals.

How do the Halogens React with Metals?

The halogens will gain one electron to form an ionic bond
when they react with metals.

The halogens will react with

1. group 1 metals - see the reaction with alkali metals.

2. group 2 metals - see the reaction with magnesium and calcium.

iron + bromine iron(III) bromide.
2Fe_(s) + 3Br_2(l) 2FeBr₃_(s)

iron + chlorine iron(III) chloride.
2Fe_(s) + 3Cl_2(g) 2FeCl₃_(s)

4. group 3 metals - for example

aluminium + chlorine aluminium chloride.
2Al_(s) + 3Cl_2(g) 2AlCl₃_(s)

All of the metal halide compounds are ionic salts which form a
crystalline giant structure. They are called
metal halides because they are made from a metal and a halogen.