Compounds of arsenic resemble in some respects those of phosphorus which occupies the same group (column) of the periodic table. The most common oxidation states for arsenic are: −3 in the arsenides, which are alloy-like intermetallic compounds, +3 in the arsenites, and +5 in the arsenates and most organoarsenic compounds. Arsenic also bonds readily to itself as seen in the square As3−
4 ions in the mineral skutterudite.[1] In the +3 oxidation state, arsenic is typically pyramidal owing to the influence of the lone pair of electrons.[2]
- ^ Uher, Ctirad (2001). "Chapter 5 Skutterudites: Prospective novel thermoelectrics". Recent Trends in Thermoelectric Materials Research I: Skutterudites: Prospective novel thermoelectrics. Semiconductors and Semimetals. Vol. 69. pp. 139–253. doi:10.1016/S0080-8784(01)80151-4. ISBN 978-0-12-752178-7.
- ^ Norman, Nicholas C. (1998). Chemistry of Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth. Springer. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7514-0389-3.