what color is selenium acetate

Question

 What color is selenium acetate

Answer 1

Joseph,

 

There is no obvious, direct source for this information on the web (as you might have found). The best, traditional source for this type of information is the CRC Handbook under Inorganic Compounds. My old, old copy, however, does not have an entry for selenium acetate nor for its periodic family member tellurium acetate.

 

Besides considering the color of the compounds for periodic family members, your analysis should consider the following paths:

 

Common chemical wisdom suggests that inorganic acetates are white, colorless, or possibly yellow. The latter is possible considering that selenium is a semi-metal. Inorganic acetates are also similar in color to the chlorides, and selenium chloride and tellurium chloride are both white (as listed in the CRC Handbook). The "strength" of the chlorine should make  selenium (and tellurium) act most like a metal. Acetate is not quite as strong, so the likelihood of white color is not quite as strong. Notice, too, that the bromides and iodides of selenium and tellurium are all brightly colored. This also makes the likelihood of white or colorless selenium actetate less strong.

 

My best guess, based on the characteristics of similar inorganic compounds, is that selenium acetate is probably yellow.

 

Michael.