The oxides They are compounds made up of chemical elements and oxygen, whether they are metallic or non-metallic. It is common for the layer that forms on different metals to be recognized as an oxide precisely from oxidation, but in reality the name belongs to a more general category which is that of combinations between any element and oxygen. For instance: potassium oxide, chloric oxide, lithium oxide.
When it comes to combinations between metals and oxygen they are called basic oxides, whereas when it is a combination between a nonmetal and oxygen it is a acid oxide.
Virtually all elements can combine with oxygen generating an oxide, so they open many classifications in this sense. Binary oxides are those that are composed only of oxygen and another element, while mixed oxides will be those that are formed from the combination of more than two chemical elements and oxygen.
Common and frequent oxides in everyday life
- Carbon dioxide (CO2). It has many commercial, industrial and medical uses: as it is not a combustible gas, it is used to extinguish fire, especially in places where there is an electrical risk and water cannot be used. It also works as a compost for the soil and as a ventilation agent in surgeries.
- Nitrogen oxide (II) or nitrogen monoxide (NO). It is a colorless gas that is present in some mammals, which some years later was observed to have other functions (treating pain or preserving food, for example). However, it is claimed that it has very harmful effects on the environment, which is why many warn about the risks in its widespread use.
Examples of oxides (traditional nomenclature)
Oxides have different kinds of nomenclatures, among which are the Traditional, Stock and Systematic. Here are some examples of metallic and non-metallic oxides following the Traditional nomenclature.
| Potassium oxide (K2OR) | Chloric oxide (Cl2OR5) |
| Lithium oxide (Li2OR) | Phosphoric oxide (P2OR5) |
| Lanthanum oxide (La2OR3) | Bismuth oxide (Bi2OR5) |
| Cobaltous oxide (CoO) | Aluminum oxide (Al2OR3) |
| Bismuth oxide (Bi2OR3) | Hyposulfurous oxide (SO) |
| Hyposelenious oxide (SeO) | Phosphorous oxide (P2OR3) |
| Perchloric oxide (Cl2OR7) | Auric oxide (Au2OR3) |
| Permanganic oxide (Mn2OR7) | Beryllium oxide (BeO) |
| Periodic oxide (I2OR7) | Cesium oxide (Cs2OR) |
| Bromous oxide (Br2OR3) | Ferric oxide (Fe2OR3) |