Why does the group 7 elements not have many uses?

Answer 1

The answer to this question depends on which version of the Periodic Table you're referring to.

According to IUPAC, Group 7 would consist of manganese (Mn), technetium (Tc), rhenium (Rh), and bohrium (Bh). This group does not have many uses because other than manganese, the others are either rare or synthetic. Manganese is used as an alloying material in steel and is crucial to Vitamin B1.

If all of the transition metals are considered to be one group (or the old IUPAC/CAS method is used), then group 7 can refer to the halogens, or fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), Iodine (I), and Astatine (At). These elements are highly reactive and are famous for producing salts when combined with Group 1 or Alkali metals. These elements may not have many uses alone, but they have a crucial role in chemistry.

Answer 2

The group 7 elements, known as the halogens, are highly reactive and tend to form strong bonds with other elements, which can limit their practical uses in pure form. They are more commonly used in compounds rather than in their elemental state, such as chlorine in bleach or fluorine in toothpaste. Additionally, their toxicity and potential harm to human health also restrict their widespread applications.