What does #VSEPR# say in regard to the structure of #CO_2#, and #SiO_2#?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 2, 2016

Carbon dioxide is a molecular gas. Silicon dioxide is a non-molecular solid. VSEPR does not predict these phenomena.

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide, #CO_2#, is molecular, and features unsaturated #C=O# bonds. On the other hand silicon does not form unsaturated bonds in that the individual #Si-O# bonds are longer. Silicon dioxide is non-molecular and forms an infinite array akin to the diamond structure.

These facts simply have to be known.

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