Main group element in the context of Hypervalent molecules

In chemistry, a hypervalent molecule (the phenomenon is sometimes colloquially known as expanded octet) is a molecule that contains one or more main group elements apparently bearing more than eight electrons in their valence shells. Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), chlorine trifluoride (ClF₃), the chlorite (ClO−2) ion in chlorous acid and the triiodide (I−3) ion are examples of hypervalent molecules.

An inorganic peroxide is a peroxide of an inorganic compound. Metal peroxides are metal-containing peroxides with ionically- or covalently-bonded peroxide (O2−2) groups. This large family of compounds can be divided into ionic and covalent peroxide. The first class mostly contains the peroxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals whereas the covalent peroxides are represented by such compounds as hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulfuric acid (H₂SO₅). In contrast to the purely ionic character of alkali metal peroxides, peroxides of transition metals have a more covalent character.

Main group peroxides are peroxide derivatives of the main group elements (many of which are metals). Many compounds of the main group elements form peroxides, and a few are of commercial significance.