franklyn
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stable N4 synth with NxOx ?
Doubtlessly this idea has occured to many before in years past.
The idea that in a way similar to the Haber Bosch process of
the synthesis of ammonia gas, a mix of nitrogen oxides could be
induced to merge into a smaller molar quantity by Le Chatelier’s
Principle. The hypothetical molecule tetra atomic nitrogen,
analogous to white phosphorus, may perhaps be stable if a fourth
coordination bond were made with an oxygen atom completing it's
octet with each nitrogen atom. Thus forming a compound N4O4.
What if equal volumes of Nitrous Oxide N2O , Nitric Oxide NO ,
and Nitrogen Dioxide NO2 confined in a vessel are subjected to
pressure favoring the dimerization of a composite molecule and
possibly forming N4O4. No doubt this prompts some amusment from
all knowing practitioners of the black art. It is of equal
amusement to me how ammonia has been synthesized in total
ignorance since Haber developed this idea in 1908 until 1984
when the function of iron catalysis was first understood. See ->
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v315/n6017/abs/315311a0...
An abridged excerpt of an editorial from Science (12 October 1962)
The Need for Skepticism
The synthesis of xenon tetraflouride and related compounds makes
necessary the revision of chemistry textbooks. For about 50 years,
students have been taught that noble gases are nonreactive.
Millions have absorbed this dogma and parroted it back in exams.
The first evidence that xenon might participate in chemical
combination was obtained by Neil Bartlett, who suggested that
compounds of this type might be made. The ease with which XeF4 is
made and its properties are explored is almost shocking. One can
introduce the two gases into a simple system, heat the mixture
for 1 hour at 400º C, and observe the formation of crystals.
The essential ingredient in discovering noble gas compounds was
not money or equipment, but an idea.
There is a sobering lesson here, as well as an exciting prospect.
For perhaps 15 years, at least a million scientists all over the
world have been blind to a potential opportunity to make an
important discovery. All that was required to overthrow a
respected and entrenched dogma was a few hours of effort and
a germ of skepticism.
P.S.
There doesn't seem to be an FAQ or anyone to ask about this _
what is Whimsey in the Non-chemistry section and why is it
password protected ? Is this by invitation only ?
.
[Edited on 14-6-2006 by franklyn]
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DrP
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I think you can get Kripton Fluorides as well as fluorides for most of the other noble gasses. I know the Xe one forms complexes with some metals as
well.
I'm not supprised really when you think of how reactive Fluorine gas is.
"what is Whimsey in the Non-chemistry section and why is it
password protected ? Is this by invitation only ?"
It's open discussion from what I can tell. It's password protected because sometimes some sensitive subjects are disscussed (or even mocked) and I
don't think we want any browsers to get offended. This is one for the moderators to answer really - send one of them a U2U for a password.
[Edited on 14-6-2006 by DrP]
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unionised
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Well, you can get half way there.
http://bromine.cchem.berkeley.edu/grppub/pes26.pdf
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