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Related Concept Videos

Structures of Solids02:22

Structures of Solids

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Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
14.1K
Ionic Crystal Structures02:42

Ionic Crystal Structures

14.3K
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
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Chirality at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur02:30

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Chirality is most prevalent in carbon-based tetrahedral compounds, but this important facet of molecular symmetry extends to sp3-hybridized nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur centers, including trivalent molecules with lone pairs. Here, the lone pair behaves as a functional group in addition to the other three substituents to form an analogous tetrahedral center that can be chiral.
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Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides02:26

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

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Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.
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VSEPR Theory and the Basic Shapes

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Overview of VSEPR Theory
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Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

18.4K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Atmospheric Pressure Fabrication of Large-Sized Single-Layer Rectangular SnSe Flakes
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Structure of Amorphous Selenium: Small Ring, Big Controversy.

Wenbo Lu1,2, Zongbao Li3, Mingjie Feng1

  • 1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 20, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Amorphous selenium (a-Se) structure is debated, but this study finds vapor-deposited a-Se consists of rings, not chains. Characterization methods can trigger ring-to-chain transitions, affecting results.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Solid State Physics
  • Chalcogenide Chemistry

Background:

  • Selenium (Se), a chalcogen element, has a long history since its discovery in 1817.
  • The precise atomic structure of amorphous selenium (a-Se) remains a subject of scientific debate, particularly concerning the prevalence of ring versus chain structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To resolve the controversy surrounding the dominant structural motif (rings vs. chains) in amorphous selenium.
  • To identify the underlying causes for the conflicting structural observations in previous studies.
  • To establish reliable methods for characterizing amorphous selenium structure accurately.

Main Methods:

  • Vapor deposition of amorphous selenium.
  • Comparative analysis of structural properties between vapor-deposited and melt-quenched amorphous selenium.
  • Investigation of structural transitions induced by external stimuli like light and heat.
  • Raman spectroscopy utilizing controlled excitation laser parameters (photon flux, energy) and temperature conditions.

Main Results:

  • Vapor-deposited amorphous selenium is predominantly composed of disordered rings, contrasting with melt-quenched amorphous selenium.
  • The structural controversy stems from the inherent instability of selenium rings, which readily transition to chains.
  • Characterization techniques involving above-bandgap illumination (> 2.1 eV) or elevated temperatures (> 50 °C) can inadvertently induce this ring-to-chain transition.

Conclusions:

  • The dominant structure in vapor-deposited amorphous selenium consists of disordered rings.
  • Accurate structural characterization of amorphous selenium requires careful control of experimental conditions to prevent photoexcitation- and heat-induced ring-to-chain transitions.
  • A roadmap is provided for obtaining reliable Raman spectra by optimizing laser excitation and temperature parameters, ensuring the preservation of the native ring structure.