Niobium - ₄₁Nb: reactions of elements

Reaction of niobium with air

Niobium does not react with air under normal conditions. The surface of niobium metal is protected by a thin oxide layer.

Reaction of niobium with water

Niobium does not react with water under normal conditions. The surface of niobium metal is protected by a thin oxide layer.

Reaction of niobium with the halogens

Niobium does react with the halogens upon warming to form niobium(V) halides. So, niobium reacts with fluorine, F₂, chlorine, Cl₂, bromine, I₂, and iodine, I₂, to form respectively niobium(V) bromide, NbF₅, niobium(V) chloride, NbCl₅, niobium(V) bromide, NbBr₅, and niobium(V) iodide, NbI₅.

2Nb(s) + 5F₂(g) → NbF₅(s) [white]

2Nb(s) + 5Cl₂(g) → NbCl₅(l) [yellow]

2Nb(s) + 5Br₂(g) → NbBr₅(s) [orange]

2Nb(s) + 5I₂(g) → NbI₅(s) [brass coloured]

Reaction of niobium with acids

Niobium appears not to be attacked by many acids at room temperature but does dissolve in hydrofluoric acid, HF, or in a mixture of HF and nitric acid, HNO₃.

Reaction of niobium with bases

Niobium metal is largely resistant to attack by molten alkali but will dissolve slowly.