"Maximum Number of Bonds" Definition
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has made several attempts to arrive at an unambiguous definition of valence. The current version, adopted in 1994,:
- The maximum number of univalent atoms (originally hydrogen or chlorine atoms) that may combine with an atom of the element under consideration, or with a fragment, or for which an atom of this element can be substituted.
Hydrogen and chlorine were originally used as examples of univalent atoms, because of their nature to form only one single bond. Hydrogen has only one valence electron and can form only one bond with an atom that has an incomplete outer shell. Chlorine has seven valence electrons and can form only one bond with an atom that donates a valence electron to complete chlorine's outer shell. However, chlorine can also have oxidation states from +1 to +7 and can form more than one bond by donating valence electrons.
Although hydrogen has only one valence electron, it can form bonds with more than one atom in hypervalent bonds. In the bifluoride ion (−), for example, it forms a three-center four-electron bond with two fluoride atoms:
Another example is the Three-center two-electron bond in diborane (B2H6).
Read more about this topic: Valence (chemistry)
Famous quotes containing the words maximum, number, bonds and/or definition:
“Probably the only place where a man can feel really secure is in a maximum security prison, except for the imminent threat of release.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)
“Can it be, that the Greek grammarians invented their dual number for the particular benefit of twins?”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings ...
And while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.”
—John Gillespie Magee (c. 1922–1941)
“One definition of man is “an intelligence served by organs.””
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)