Give one example from main-group chemistry that illustrates each of the following descriptions. (a) Covalent network solid (b) Disproportionation reaction (c) Paramagnetic oxide (d) Lewis acid (e) Amphoteric oxide (f) Semiconductor (g) Strong oxidizing agent (h) Allotropes

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(a) Covalent network solid: Consider silicon dioxide (SiO₂), which forms a three-dimensional network of covalent bonds, resulting in a very hard and high melting point solid.

(b) Disproportionation reaction: An example is the reaction of chlorine gas in water, where chlorine is both reduced and oxidized: Cl₂ + H₂O → HCl + HClO.

(c) Paramagnetic oxide: Manganese(IV) oxide (MnO₂) is paramagnetic due to the presence of unpaired electrons in the d-orbitals of manganese.

(d) Lewis acid: Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) acts as a Lewis acid because it can accept an electron pair, often forming a complex with a Lewis base.

(e) Amphoteric oxide: Zinc oxide (ZnO) can react with both acids and bases, demonstrating its amphoteric nature.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Covalent Network Solid

Covalent network solids are materials where atoms are bonded together by a continuous network of covalent bonds, resulting in a rigid structure. Examples include diamond and silicon carbide, which exhibit high melting points and hardness due to the strong bonding. These solids do not consist of discrete molecules but rather a vast array of atoms interconnected in a lattice.

Disproportionation Reaction

A disproportionation reaction is a specific type of redox reaction in which a single substance is simultaneously oxidized and reduced, forming two different products. An example is the reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which can decompose into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). This reaction highlights the dual nature of certain compounds in chemical transformations.

Paramagnetic Oxide

Paramagnetic oxides contain unpaired electrons in their electronic structure, which allows them to be attracted to magnetic fields. A common example is manganese(II) oxide (MnO), where the manganese ion has unpaired d-electrons. This property is significant in understanding the magnetic behavior of materials and their applications in various technologies.