Survey of the Elements: 1. Element structures 2. Oxide structures 3. Cool things about some elements
Structures of the Elements
Metals: Close packing
Number of Bonds Possible:
α-R boron β-R boron γ-boron Allotropes of Boron: linked B 12 icosahedra
Traditional Allotropes of Carbon
New Allotropes of Carbon: Fullerenes C 60
New Allotropes of Carbon: Nanotubes
New Allotropes of Carbon: Graphene
Industrial Production of Diamonds
Why is diamond formed, and not graphite? Reason 1. Reverse Reaction favors Graphite Instability H + diamond CH4, but slower than CVD diamond growth H + graphite CH4, but faster than CVD graphite growth Reason 2. Forward Reaction favors Diamond Formation sp 3 C atoms on surface (show structures) slow sp 2 graphite formation. H 2 (g) 2 H(g) H(g) + CH 4 (g) CH 3 (g) + H 2 (g) CH 3 + C(diamond-H, surface) Diamond-CH 3 + H