Formula O3Te2- ChEBI ID 30477 | Molar mass 175.6 g/mol | |
 | ||
The tellurite ion is TeO2−
3. A tellurite (compound), for example sodium tellurite, is a compound that contains this ion. Tellurites are highly stable tellurium compounds, although they can be reduced to elemental tellurium by electrolysis or a strong reducing agent.
Contents
Acidified forms
In slightly acidic conditions, hydrogen tellurite ion, HTeO−
3, is prevalent; with more acidic conditions tellurous acid, H2TeO3, is prevalent. Only in basic conditions is tellurite formed.
Preparation
Most tellurite compounds can be formed by heating the relevant oxide with tellurium dioxide, e.g., Na2O + TeO2 → Na2TeO3.
Uses
Potassium tellurite (K2TeO3) is used together with agar as part of a selective medium for growth of some bacteria (Clauberg medium). Corynebacteria and some other species reduce TeO2−
3 to elemental Te, which stains the bacteria black.