Group 6 of the periodic table

Group 6 of the periodic table (also called Group 6) is the sixth column of the periodic table of elements (the arrangement of chemical elements). It includes chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), and seaborgium (Sg). All are transition metals, which have electrons in partially filled d orbitals.

The elements in this group have variable oxidation states, with a maximum of +6. This variability is why they form colored compounds and are highly active in catalysis (the speeding up of chemical reactions). Chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten are hard metals with high melting points; tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal.

Chromium

Chromium is a silvery-blue metal known for its resistance to corrosion. It is used in chrome plating and in the production of stainless steel. Chromium compounds have various colors—the name comes from the Greek word "chroma," meaning color. Chromium compounds in the +6 oxidation state are considered toxic and hazardous to health.

Molybdenum and tungsten

Molybdenum is commonly added to alloys to increase strength and heat resistance. It also plays a role in biology: certain enzymes found in bacteria and plants use molybdenum to convert nitrogen. Tungsten (also called wolfram, with the symbol W) is used in the filaments of older light bulbs, in tungsten carbide cutting tools, and in applications requiring extremely high heat resistance.

Seaborgium

Seaborgium is a synthetic element not found naturally in the earth. It is created in particle accelerators, and its atoms are radioactive and decay rapidly. Because of this, its chemistry has been studied with only a very small number of atoms; the results obtained have shown properties similar to tungsten.