The chemical properties of niobium mainly include its reactivity and stability under different conditions. Niobium is a transition metal element with the chemical symbol Nb, atomic number 41, and atomic weight 92.9064.
stability
Niobium has stable chemical properties at room temperature and does not react with air, water, alkali, or most acids. It can only directly combine with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens when heated. Niobium undergoes oxidation in air above 200 ℃ and reacts with chlorine and water at 200 ℃, nitrogen and ammonia at 300 ℃, and hydrogen at 250 ℃. In addition, niobium is soluble in hydrofluoric acid, mixed solutions of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid, and alkaline solutions.
chemical compound
Niobium can form various compounds, including sodium niobate, lanthanum niobate, lithium niobate, potassium niobate, rubidium niobate, and niobium nitrate. Niobium compounds are typically composed of pentavalent niobium ions, but can also form trivalent and tetravalent compounds.
Oxidation state
The common oxidation state of niobium is+5, but it can also form compounds with+3 and+4 valences. The most stable oxide of niobium is niobium pentoxide (Nb ₂ O ₅)