All-metal Compound Mimics The Shape Of A Carbonate Ion
This September, a group of German scientists discovered an all-metal compound that has a tridimensional structure similar to a carbonate (CO3 2-) ion. The compound is composed of tin and bismuth ( [SnBi3] 5-). After their success in discovering a compound with a similar shape as carbon dioxide a few years back, the team started a 7 month experiment to create one similar to the next in line, carbonate. According to VSEPR, the tin-bismuth compound has a planar triangular shape, also known as a plane triangle, and the same shape as a CO3 2- ion. For more information about this compound and how it was synthesized, please visit Katrina Krämer's article cited at the bottom of this page.
Looking back at Unit 1 of the Grade 11 Chemistry textbook, there is some insight on the structures of molecules, commonly referred to as VSEPR diagrams. These are used to illustrate in a 2d format how the atoms within a molecule would cohexist within each other, taking into account the electronegative forces (as in the ability of an atom to pull bonding electrons to itself) of each atom, their repulsive forces, and how many lone pairs each atom has. The structures for the tin-bismuth ion and the carbonate ion can be observed in the following images.
Looking back at Unit 1 of the Grade 11 Chemistry textbook, there is some insight on the structures of molecules, commonly referred to as VSEPR diagrams. These are used to illustrate in a 2d format how the atoms within a molecule would cohexist within each other, taking into account the electronegative forces (as in the ability of an atom to pull bonding electrons to itself) of each atom, their repulsive forces, and how many lone pairs each atom has. The structures for the tin-bismuth ion and the carbonate ion can be observed in the following slideshow.
At a glance, this might seem unimpressive. However, with my current knowledge of chemical bonding, I see this as an amazing feat of technology and science to be able to recreate a compound with widely different elements that would look so similar to a molecular compound. On top of all, this compound is composed of two metals, something that I had personally not thought to be possible before now. Perhaps, it may even share some chemical properties with carbonate or other molecular compounds. Hopefully, I will learn more about all-metal compounds and their properties in following units.
Although the tin-bismuth compound's usefulness has not been declared yet, I believe that it has potential to lead scientists unto something greater. Perhaps, this is just a small step into a revolutionary discovery, such as a fuel that, when burned, would not produce CO2 or its counterparts, and therefore reduce the carbon intake in our atmosphere. Sometimes in chemistry, experimenting for the fun of it has been responsible for countless advances in technology and our understanding of the world.
Can you think of a situation where metals/ionic compounds would be better to use rather than molecular compounds? Leave your thoughts on the comments below!
Credit to:
Katrina Krämer, Chemistry World, https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/all-metal-ion-mimics-carbonate/3008067.article, posted on September 29th 2017, viewed on Saturday October 7th 2017.
For further research, visit http://www.acnm.ch.tum.de/willkommen/