Imagine a new variety of compounds; compounds that have
properties never seen before or simply compounds that have
properties more pronounced than those which we already know of
at present. It would be really cool. No, in fact it is really
cool! Indeed, an entirely new class of compound is on the verge
of getting everybody?s attention.
Only some times back, it has been shown that a new division of
compounds could exist. A new study now confirms the idea that a
cluster of atom of an element, behaves differently from a single
atom of the element. It is as if, a new element is being created.
For example, a cluster of 13 aluminium atoms behaves like a
halogen (chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc). In addition, the
aluminium cluster can react with halogens to form halogen
compounds with novel properties!
However a cluster of one more aluminium atom, that is to say, 14
aluminium atoms, will act not like a halogen but rather like an
alkaline earth (calcium, barium, etc) atom. And the ions that
are hence formed are in fact totally new types of salts! For
instance, when the 14 aluminium atom cluster reacts with 3
iodine atoms, an ion with an absolute charge of ?3 is formed.
Surprisingly this resulting ion is very stable.
The atom cluster thing has also been a source of debate in the
scientific community. According to Shiv Khanna, co-leader of the
study, the periodic table must be altered to accommodate the
clusters or ?superatoms,? as he calls them.
How? Simple. Just add a 3rd dimension to the periodic table. The
13 aluminium atom cluster will then be in the same row and
column as iodine since it acts more or less like the latter.
Only difference is that it will be in a new plane. Same thing
for the 14 aluminium atom cluster in the alkaline earth group
and for the other ?superatoms.?
As if the periodic table wasn?t complicated enough! But I guess
that it will be even more so if the additions are made. So don?t
you dare think that your generation?s college chemistry was
hard!
About the author:
Khalil A. Cassimally is currently Senior Columnist at
BackWash.com and Columnist for bbc.co.uk h2g2 The Post where he
writes 'Not Scientific Science' column.
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