Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials

McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145Not the one you use?Change textbook

McMurry 8th Edition

Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials

Problem 112

Chapter 12, Problem 112

What is the coordination environment of the K+ ions in thefullerene-based superconductor K3C60?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure of the fullerene C60. It is a molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms, arranged in a structure similar to a soccer ball. It consists of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons, with a carbon atom at the vertices of each polygon and a bond along each polygon edge.

Step 2: Understand the concept of coordination environment. In chemistry, the coordination environment of an ion refers to the number and type of its nearest neighboring ions or molecules. It is determined by the geometry of the compound and the nature of the chemical bonds.

Step 3: In the case of K3C60, three potassium ions (K+) are intercalated between the C60 molecules. The K+ ions are not directly bonded to the C60 molecules, but interact with them through ionic and van der Waals forces.

Step 4: Due to the spherical shape of the C60 molecules and their arrangement in the crystal lattice, each K+ ion is surrounded by several C60 molecules. Therefore, the coordination environment of the K+ ions in K3C60 is defined by multiple C60 molecules.

Step 5: To determine the exact number of C60 molecules surrounding each K+ ion, one would need to refer to the crystal structure of K3C60. This information is typically obtained through experimental techniques such as X-ray crystallography.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Coordination Chemistry

Coordination chemistry involves the study of coordination compounds, where central metal atoms or ions are surrounded by molecules or anions called ligands. The arrangement and number of these ligands around the central atom define the coordination environment, which influences the compound's properties and reactivity.

Fullerenes

Fullerenes are a class of carbon allotropes characterized by their hollow, cage-like structures, such as C60, which resembles a soccer ball. In the context of superconductors, fullerenes can host alkali metal ions like K+, affecting their electronic properties and enabling superconductivity through electron transfer mechanisms.

Superconductivity

Superconductivity is a phenomenon where a material exhibits zero electrical resistance and expels magnetic fields below a certain temperature, known as the critical temperature. In K3C60, the interaction between K+ ions and the fullerene lattice plays a crucial role in achieving this state, as the ions contribute to the formation of Cooper pairs necessary for superconductivity.

Related Practice

Textbook Question

A photovoltaic cell contains a p–n junction that that converts solar light to electricity. An optimum semiconductor would have its band-gap energy matched to the wavelength of maximum solar intensity at the Earth's surface. (a) What is the color and approximate wavelength of maximum solar intensity at the Earth's surface? Refer to the figure for Problem 12.102.

323

views

Textbook Question

The YBa₂Cu₃O₇ superconductor can be synthesized by the solgel method from a stoichiometric mixture of metal ethoxides followed by heating in oxygen. How many grams of Y(OCH₂CH₃)₃ and how many grams of Ba(OCH₂CH₃)₂ are required to react with 75.4 g of Cu(OCH₂CH₃)₂ and an excess of water? Assuming a 100% yield, how many grams of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ are obtained?

472

views

Textbook Question

Gallium arsenide, a material used to manufacture laser printers and compact disc players, has a band gap of 130 kJ/mol. Is GaAs a metallic conductor, a semiconductor, or an electrical insulator? With what group 4A element is GaAs isoelectronic? (Isoelectronic substances have the same number of electrons.)

398

views

Textbook Question

Why are oxide ceramics more corrosion-resistant than metals?

537

views

Textbook Question

Looking at Figure 12.27 identify the coordination numbers of the Cu, Y, and Ba atoms.

280

views

Textbook Question

A photovoltaic cell contains a p–n junction that that converts solar light to electricity. An optimum semiconductor would have its band-gap energy matched to the wavelength of maximum solar intensity at the Earth's surface. (b) Which of the following semiconductors absorb at a wavelength matched with maximum solar intensity? CdTe with a band-gap energy of 145 kJ/mol or ZnSe with a band-gap energy of 248 kJ/mol.

325

views