Element molecule
Element molecules are molecules that only consist of two or more atoms of a single chemical element . If a bond is formed between two atoms, one speaks of diatomic elements .
In contrast to element molecules, all other molecules consist of at least two atoms of different elements (such as water with the empirical formula H 2 O made up of hydrogen and oxygen).
In element molecules, a pure covalent bond ( atomic bond ) prevails due to the absolute equality of the connection partners . These can be single bonds such as in hydrogen (H 2 ) or multiple bonds (double bond in O 2 , triple bond in N 2 ).
Among the elements that form element molecules, these are the more stable form. The atomic forms of these elements, which are mostly unstable, i.e. only exist for short periods of time, are accordingly much more reactive.
Examples of elements that make up element molecules:
- Hydrogen : H 2
- Nitrogen : N 2
- Oxygen : O 2 , O 3 (the ozone )
- Chlorine : Cl 2
- Carbon C 60 (a fullerene )
- Fluorine : F 2
- Bromine : Br 2
- Iodine : I 2
- Phosphorus : P 4 , P 2
- Sulfur : S n , often S 8
Ozone is also an example that the properties of element molecules of one and the same element can differ greatly: While the form of oxygen O 2 is vital for most living things, the form O 3 is toxic.
literature
- AF Holleman , E. Wiberg , N. Wiberg : Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry . 101st edition. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 1995, ISBN 3-11-012641-9 , p. 61.