XYX Compounds

There are a few very common chemicals with similar chemical formulas. Water is H20, dihydrogen monoxide. It’s an oxygen atom connected to two hydrogen atoms. Carbon dioxide CO2, which is vital for life on earth, is likewise a carbon atom connected to two oxygen atoms. And the primary component of sand and glass is silicon dioxide, silica, a silicon atom connected to two oxygen atoms.¹

What other compounds are in this implied set? As it turns out, mostly a load of toxic stinking gasses.

¶ Set 1: Hydrogen Chalcogenides

HOH - Dihydrogen monoxide

Oxidane, Water

HSH - Dihydrogen monosulfide

Stinkdamp, sewer gas, nasty stuff. Smells like rotting eggs

HSeH - Dihydrogen selenide

Extremely toxic gas. Smells like rotting horseradish.

HTeH - Dihydrogen telluride

Smells like rotting garlic.

HPoH - Dihydrogen polonide

Unstable and radioactive. Extremely difficult to work with.

HLvH - Dihydrogen livermoride

Haha. No.

¶ Set 2a: Carbon Dichalcogenides

OCO - Carbon Dioxide

aka Fixed Air

SCS - Carbon disulfide

Used to make cellophane. Also sometimes used as a fumigant

SeCSe - Carbon diselenide

When first sythesized, its smell “forced the evacuation of a nearby village”.

¶ Set 2b: Silicon Dichalcogenides

OSiO - Silicon dioxide

Silica (Glass/Sand/Quartz)

SSiS - Silicon disulfide

It’s used to make other chemicals, but I can’t find any major applications for the stuff on its own.

SeSiSe - Silicon diselenide

It’s been synthesized and studied, but I can’t find any fun facts about it.

¶ Set 3: Triple Chalcogens

OOO - Trioxygen

Ozone. Actually quite useful.

OSO - Sulfur Dioxide

Pollutant. Sometimes used in winemaking or food preservation.

OSeO - Selenium dioxide

Smells like horseradish, used as a glass colorant.

SSS - Trisulfur

Converts to S8 in Earth conditions, but observed on Io and Venus.

SSeS - Selenium disulfide

An antifungal agent used to treat dandruff. On the WHO list of essential medicines. Brand names include Versel, Selsun, and Exsel.

I can’t find any interesting info on Triselenide, etc.