1. Acidic Oxides
Definition: Oxides that react with water to form acids or react with bases to give salt + water.
Examples:
CO₂, SO₂, SO₃, P₂O₅, N₂O₅, Cl₂O₇
Non-metal oxides
Reactions:
CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃
SO₃ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O
Trend:
Non-metallic character ↑ ⇒ acidity ↑
Across a period: acidity increases
Down a group: acidity decreases
2. Basic Oxides
Definition: Oxides that react with water to form bases or react with acids to give salt + water.
Examples:
Na₂O, CaO, MgO, K₂O
Mostly metal oxides
Reactions:
Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH
CaO + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O
Trend:
Metallic character ↑ ⇒ basicity ↑
Down a group: basicity increases
Across a period: basicity decreases
3. Amphoteric Oxides
Definition: Oxides that react with both acids and bases .
Examples (VERY IMPORTANT for exams):
Al₂O₃, ZnO, BeO, SnO, PbO, Cr₂O₃
Reactions:
ZnO + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂O (acts basic)
ZnO + 2NaOH → Na₂ZnO₂ + H₂O (acts acidic)
Trend:
Found near metal–nonmetal boundary
Small size + high charge density → amphoteric behavior
4. Neutral Oxides
Definition: Oxides that do not react with acids or bases .
Examples:
Trend:
Mostly simple molecules
No acidic or basic nature
IMPORTANT PERIODIC TREND (MOST ASKED)
Across a period (Left → Right):
Basic → Amphoteric → Acidic
Example (Period 3): Na₂O → MgO → Al₂O₃ → SiO₂ → P₂O₅ → SO₃ → Cl₂O₇
Key shift:
Metals → Non-metals
Basic → Acidic
QUICK REVISION TABLE
Type Nature Examples Basic Metal oxides Na₂O, CaO Amphoteric Both Al₂O₃, ZnO Acidic Non-metal oxides SO₃, CO₂ Neutral No reaction CO, NO
EXAM TIPS
Al₂O₃, ZnO → always remember (amphoteric)
CO ≠ acidic (neutral!)
Higher oxidation state ⇒ more acidic oxide
Example: SO₂ < SO₃ (acidity increases)
MCQs
Q1. Arrange in increasing acidic nature :
A. CO₂ < SiO₂ < SO₃ B. SiO₂ < CO₂ < SO₃ C. SO₃ < CO₂ < SiO₂ D. CO₂ < SO₃ < SiO₂
Q2. Arrange in decreasing basic strength :
A. Na₂O > MgO > Al₂O₃ B. Al₂O₃ > MgO > Na₂O C. MgO > Na₂O > Al₂O₃ D. Na₂O > Al₂O₃ > MgO
Q3. Arrange in increasing amphoteric character :
A. Na₂O < MgO < Al₂O₃ B. Al₂O₃ < MgO < Na₂O C. MgO < Na₂O < Al₂O₃ D. Na₂O < Al₂O₃ < MgO
Q4. Arrange in increasing acidic strength :
A. SO₂ < SO₃ < Cl₂O₇ B. Cl₂O₇ < SO₃ < SO₂ C. SO₃ < SO₂ < Cl₂O₇ D. SO₂ < Cl₂O₇ < SO₃
Q5. Arrange in increasing basic character :
A. CaO < MgO < Na₂O B. Na₂O < MgO < CaO C. MgO < CaO < Na₂O D. CaO < Na₂O < MgO
Q6. Arrange in increasing acidic nature :
A. P₂O₅ < SO₃ < Cl₂O₇ B. Cl₂O₇ < SO₃ < P₂O₅ C. SO₃ < P₂O₅ < Cl₂O₇ D. P₂O₅ < Cl₂O₇ < SO₃
Q7. Arrange in increasing basic strength :
A. BeO < MgO < CaO B. CaO < MgO < BeO C. MgO < BeO < CaO D. BeO < CaO < MgO
Q8. Arrange in increasing acidic character :
A. N₂O₃ < NO₂ < N₂O₅ B. N₂O₅ < NO₂ < N₂O₃ C. NO₂ < N₂O₃ < N₂O₅ D. N₂O₃ < N₂O₅ < NO₂
ANSWERS
B → SiO₂ < CO₂ < SO₃
A → Na₂O > MgO > Al₂O₃
A → Na₂O < MgO < Al₂O₃
A → SO₂ < SO₃ < Cl₂O₇
C → MgO < CaO < Na₂O
A → P₂O₅ < SO₃ < Cl₂O₇
A → BeO < MgO < CaO
A → N₂O₃ < NO₂ < N₂O₅
SHORT TRICKS (VERY IMPORTANT)
Across period: Basic ↓, Acidic ↑
Down group: Basic ↑
Higher oxidation state ⇒ more acidic
Metal oxides → basic
Non-metal oxides → acidic
Border elements (Be, Al, Zn) → amphoteric