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Catenation can be defined as the process of the bonding of the atoms having the same element into a series, particularly as a chain. Catenation is the bonding of atoms of the same element into a series, called a sequence. A sequence or a ring shape may be open if its ends are not bonded to each other, or closed if they're bonded in a ring. It also can be said that catenation is a scientific phenomenon in which an atom creates a strong covalent bond with its own atoms.
Key Terms: Catenation, Carbon, Hydrogen, Atoms, Elements, Sulfur, Silicon, Bonding, Covalent Bond, Organic Compounds
What is Catenation?
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Catenation is defined as the bonding of atoms having the same element into a series, known as a chain. This property of Catenation is predominant among the carbon atoms, significant among the silicon and sulfur atoms, and slightly present among the atoms of nitrogen, germanium, tellurium, and selenium.
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Examples of Catenation
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The following are the typical examples of catenation or the components that exhibit catenation:
- Carbon
- Silicon
- Sulphur
- Boron
Catenation occurs most ordinarily in carbon, forming covalent bonds to make longer chains and structures with other carbon atoms. Therefore, carbon is best known for its catenation properties, with the analysis of catenated carbon structures in chemistry.
The ability of an element to catenate is influenced further by a combination of electronic and steric influences such as
- Element's Electronegativity
- Molecular Orbital
- Ability to Form Different Sorts of Covalent Bonds
One must also understand that catenation tendency decreases down the group. This happens because the atomic size increases down the group and therefore the strength of the covalent bond decreases. As a result, the catenation property decreases down the group.
Read More: Carbon and Its Compound
Occurrence
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The occurrence of catenation can be explained as follows:
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Carbon
Catenation is the process that takes place most readily with the carbon atoms, which produces the covalent bonds with the opposite carbon atoms to form structures and longer chains. Also, one must note that thanks to its tiny size and ability to create complex structures, carbon shares the trait of catenation to the best extent possible.
Carbon may be a versatile element that forms the basis for all living organisms and many of the things we use. It's one of the main reasons for the presence of a huge number of organic compounds in nature and a large variety of combinations is formed by carbon owing to its tetravalency and the property of catenation that it exhibits. Hence, carbon is understood for its catenation properties.
Catenation in Carbon
Carbon is by no means the sole element capable of forming such catenae, however, a number of other main group elements are capable of forming a wide range of catenae, including silicon, sulphur, and boron.
The ability of an element to catenate is determined by its bond energy to itself, which decreases as more dispersed orbitals overlap to form the bond. Because of this, the carbon element, which has the least or minimal diffuse valence shell p-orbital, will be forming the longer p-p sigma bound chains of atoms in comparison to the heavier elements with higher valence shell orbitals.
When talking about the carbon atom, the sigma overlap between the adjacent atoms is strong enough that perfectly stable chains are formed. However, with the other elements, this was once thought to be not easier despite plenty of evidence to the contrary.
Read More: Valence Electrons
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Hydrogen
The 3-dimensional networks of both chains and rings and tetrahedra are linked via hydrogen bonding In the structure of the water theories. Linked by hydrogen bonds, a polycatenated network, with the rings produced from metal-templated hemispheres, was reported in 2008.
Hydrogen bonding is well known to facilitate the formation of chain structures in Organic Chemistry. For instance, 4-tricyclene C10H16O represents catenated hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups leading to the production of helical chains. Also, crystalline isophthalic acid (C8H6O4) is built up from the molecules, which are connected by hydrogen bonds, thus, forming infinite chains.
Hydrogen Bond
In some unusual circumstances, a one-dimensional series of hydrogen molecules that are confined within a single wall, the carbon nanotube is expected to become metallic at relatively low pressure, at 163.5 GPa. This is about 40% of the ~400 GPa that is thought to be needed to metalize ordinary hydrogen, a pressure that can be difficult to access experimentally.
Read More: Alcohol Structure of Hydroxyl Group
Things to Remember
- The catenation is claimed to be the bonding of atoms having the same element into a series, referred to as a chain, consistent with chemistry.
- Due to its tiny size and ability to create complex structures, carbon shares the trait of catenation to the best extent possible.
- According to the study of catenated carbon structures in organic chemistry, carbon is very regarded for its catenation capabilities.
- Also, there are other elements like silicon, sulphur and boron are just some of the main group elements that may generate a variety of catenae.
Sample Questions
Ques. Give a few examples of catenation. (3 Marks)
Ans. Here are some examples of elements that show catenation:
- Carbon
- Silicon
- Sulphur
- Boron
However, only carbon is the only element capable of creating such catenae, silicon, sulphur, and boron are just a few of the main group elements that may generate a variety of catenae.
Ques. Define catenation. (3 Marks)
Ans. Catenation is often defined as a process of the bonding of the atoms having the same element into a series, particularly as a chain. We will also say that catenation is a scientific phenomenon in which an atom creates a strong covalent connection with its own atoms.
Ques. What are the varied reasons for catenation? (3 Marks)
Ans. Catenation takes place due to the following reasons:
- Electronegativity of the element.
- Molecular Orbital Hybridization.
- Ability to make different covalent bonds.
Ques. Why is carbon utilized in catenation? (3 Marks)
Ans. Carbon exhibits catenation far more than silicon or any other element due to its smaller size which makes the C−C bonds strong while the Si−Si bonds are comparatively weaker due to their large size therefore, Si doesn't have enough bond strength to hold together large molecules.
Ques. What are the kinds of catenation? (3 Marks)
Ans. There are particularly three sorts of chains in the process of catenation namely:
- Straight Chains
- Branched Chains
- Closed Chains or Ring-type Chains
Ques. What is catenation power? Which member of Group-16 has the very best catenation? (3 Marks)
Ans. Carbon features a unique ability to form strong covalent bonds with other carbon atoms, this leads to the formation of big molecules. This property of carbon is understood as catenation power.
Sulphur shows the highest catenation among the Group-16 elements and exists as an ‘S(8)’ molecule with a puckered ring structure.
Ques. Is carbon the sole element that can catenate? (3 Marks)
Ans. Carbon isn't the only element that is capable of forming such catenae. Several other main group elements are capable of forming a good range of catenae, including silicon, sulphur, and boron. Catenation occurs mostly in carbon, forming covalent bonds to make longer chains and structures with other carbon atoms. Hence, carbon is best known for its catenation properties.
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