In chemistry, an oxocarbon or oxide of carbon is a chemical compound consisting only of carbon and oxygen. [1] [2] The simplest and most common oxocarbons are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Many other stable (practically if not thermodynamically) or metastable oxides of carbon are known, but they are rarely encountered, such as carbon suboxide (C3O2 or O=C=C=C=O) and mellitic anhydride (C12O9).
CO Carbon monoxide | CO2 Carbon dioxide | C3O2 Carbon suboxide | C12O9 Mellitic anhydride |
Many other oxides are known today, most of them synthesized since the 1960s. Some of these new oxides are stable at room temperature. Some are metastable or stable only at very low temperatures, but decompose to simpler oxocarbons when warmed. Many are inherently unstable and can be observed only momentarily as intermediates in chemical reactions or are so reactive that they exist only in gas phase or have only been detected by matrix isolation.
Graphene oxide and other stable polymeric carbon oxides with unbounded molecular structures exist. [3] [4]
Carbon dioxide (CO2) occurs widely in nature, and was incidentally produced by humans since pre-historical times, by breathing, the combustion of carbon-containing substances and fermentation of foods such as beer and bread. It was gradually recognized as a chemical substance, formerly called spiritus sylvestris ("forest spirit") or "fixed air", by various chemists in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Carbon monoxide may occur in combustion, too, and was used (though not recognized) since antiquity for the smelting of iron from its ores. Like the dioxide, it was described and studied in the West by various alchemists and chemists since the Middle Ages. Its true composition was discovered by William Cruikshank in 1800.
Carbon suboxide was discovered by Benjamin Brodie in 1873, by passing electric current through carbon dioxide. [5]
The fourth "classical" oxide, mellitic anhydride (C12O9), was apparently obtained by Liebig and Wöhler in 1830 in their study of mellite ("honeystone"), but was characterized only in 1913, by Meyer and Steiner. [6] [7] [8]
Brodie also discovered in 1859 a fifth compound called graphite oxide, consisting of carbon and oxygen in ratios varying between 2:1 and 3:1; but the nature and molecular structure of this substance remained unknown until a few years ago, when it was renamed graphene oxide and became a topic of research in nanotechnology. [3]
Notable examples of unstable or metastable oxides that were detected only in extreme situations are dicarbon monoxide radical (:C=C=O), carbon trioxide (CO3), [9] carbon tetroxide (CO
4), [10] [11] carbon pentoxide (CO
5), [12] carbon hexoxide (CO
6) [13] and 1,2-dioxetanedione (C2O4). [14] [15] Some of these reactive carbon oxides were detected within molecular clouds in the interstellar medium by rotational spectroscopy. [16]
Many hypothetical oxocarbons have been studied by theoretical methods but have yet to be detected. Examples include oxalic anhydride (C2O3 or O=(C2O)=O), ethylene dione (C2O2 or O=C=C=O) [17] and other linear or cyclic polymers of carbon monoxide (-CO-)n (polyketones), [18] and linear or cyclic polymers of carbon dioxide (-CO2-)n, such as the dimer 1,3-dioxetanedione (C2O4). [19]
C2O3 Oxalic anhydride | C2O2 Ethylene dione | C2O4 1,3-Dioxetane- dione |
Normally, carbon is tetravalent, while oxygen is divalent, and in most oxocarbons (as in most other carbon compounds) each carbon atom may be bound to four other atoms, while oxygen may be bound to at most two. Moreover, while carbon can connect to other carbons to form arbitrarily large chains or networks, chains of three or more oxygens are rarely if ever observed. Thus the known electrically neutral oxocarbons generally consist of one or more carbon skeletons (including cyclic and aromatic structures) connected and terminated by oxide (-O-, =O) or peroxide (-O-O-) groups.
Carbon atoms with unsatisfied bonds are found in some oxides, such as the diradical C2O or :C=C=O; but these compounds are generally too reactive to be isolated in bulk. [20] Loss or gain of electrons can result in monovalent negative oxygen (-O−
), trivalent positive oxygen (≡O+
), or trivalent negative carbon (≡C−
). The last two are found in carbon monoxide, −C≡O+. [21] Negative oxygen occurs in most oxocarbon anions.
One family of carbon oxides has the general formula CnO2, or O=(C=)nO — namely, a linear chain of carbon atoms, capped by oxygen atoms at both ends. The first members are
Some higher members of this family have been detected in trace amounts in low-pressure gas phase and/or cryogenic matrix experiments, specifically for n = 7 [24] : p.97 and n = 17, 19, and 21. [25] : p.95
Another family of oxocarbons are the linear carbon monoxides CnO. The first member, ordinary carbon monoxide CO, seems to be the only one that is practically stable in the pure state at room temperature (though it is not thermodynamically stable at standard temperature and pressure, see Boudouard reaction). Photolysis of the linear carbon dioxides in a cryogenic matrix leads to loss of CO, resulting in detectable amounts of even-numbered monoxides such as C2O, C4O, [20] and C6O. [24] The members up to n=9 have also been obtained by electrical discharge on gaseous C3O2 diluted in argon. [26] The first three members have been detected in interstellar space. [26]
When n is even, the molecules are believed to be in the triplet (cumulene-like) state, with the atoms connected by double bonds and an unfilled orbital in the first carbon — as in :C=C=O, :C=C=C=C=O, and, in general, :(C=)n=O. When n is odd, the triplet structure is believed to resonate with a singlet (acetylene-type) polar state with a negative charge on the carbon end and a positive one on the oxygen end, as in −C≡C−C≡O+, −C≡C−C≡C−C≡O+, and, in general, −(C≡C−)(n−1)/2C≡O+. [26] Carbon monoxide itself follows this pattern: its predominant form is believed to be −C≡O+. [21]
Another family of oxocarbons that has attracted special attention are the cyclic radialene-type oxocarbons CnOn or (CO)n. [27] They can be regarded as cyclic polymers of carbon monoxide, or n-fold ketones of n-carbon cycloalkanes. Carbon monoxide itself (CO) can be regarded as the first member. Theoretical studies indicate that ethylene dione (C2O2 or O=C=C=O) and cyclopropanetrione C3O3 do not exist. [17] [18] The next three members — C4O4, C5O5, and C6O6 — are theoretically possible, but are expected to be quite unstable, [18] and so far they have been synthesized only in trace amounts. [28] [29]
(CO)2 Ethylene dione | (CO)3 Cyclopropane- trione | (CO)4 Cyclobutane- tetrone | (CO)5 Cyclopentane- pentone | (CO)6 Cyclohexane- hexone |
On the other hand, the anions of these oxocarbons are quite stable, and some of them have been known since the 19th century. [27] They are
The cyclic oxide C6O6 also forms the stable anions of tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (C6O64−) and benzenehexol (C6O66−), [37] The aromaticity of these anions has been studied using theoretical methods. [38] [39]
Many new stable or metastable oxides have been synthesized since the 1960s, such as:
Many relatives of these oxides have been investigated theoretically, and some are expected to be stable, such as other carbonate and oxalate esters of tetrahydroxy-1,2-benzoquinone and of the rhodizonic, croconic, squaric, and deltic acids. [18]
Carbon suboxide spontaneously polymerizes at room temperature into a carbon-oxygen polymer, with 3:2 carbon:oxygen atomic ratio. The polymer is believed to be a linear chain of fused six-membered lactone rings, with a continuous carbon backbone of alternating single and double bonds. Physical measurements indicate that the mean number of units per molecule is about 5–6, depending on the formation temperature. [4] [49]
Terminating and repeating units of polymeric C3O2. [4] |
Oligomers of C3O2 with 3 to 6 units. [4] |
Carbon monoxide compressed to 5 GPa in a diamond anvil cell yields a somewhat similar reddish polymer with a slightly higher oxygen content, which is metastable at room conditions. It is believed that CO disproportionates in the cell to a mixture of CO2 and C3O2; the latter forms a polymer similar to the one described above (but with a more irregular structure), that traps some of the CO2 in its matrix. [50] [51]
Another carbon-oxygen polymer, with C:O ratio 5:1 or higher, is the classical graphite oxide [3] and its single-sheet version graphene oxide.
More than 20 oxides and ozonides of fullerene are known: [52]
and others.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, flammable gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simplest carbon oxide. In coordination complexes, the carbon monoxide ligand is called carbonyl. It is a key ingredient in many processes in industrial chemistry.
An oxide is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygen atom and one other element in its chemical formula. "Oxide" itself is the dianion of oxygen, an O2– ion with oxygen in the oxidation state of −2. Most of the Earth's crust consists of oxides. Even materials considered pure elements often develop an oxide coating. For example, aluminium foil develops a thin skin of Al2O3 that protects the foil from further oxidation.
Carbon suboxide, or tricarbon dioxide, is an organic, oxygen-containing chemical compound with formula C3O2 and structure O=C=C=C=O. Its four cumulative double bonds make it a cumulene. It is one of the stable members of the series of linear oxocarbons O=Cn=O, which also includes carbon dioxide and pentacarbon dioxide. Although if carefully purified it can exist at room temperature in the dark without decomposing, it will polymerize under certain conditions.
Squaric acid, also called quadratic acid because its four carbon atoms approximately form a square, is a diprotic organic acid with the chemical formula C4O2(OH)2.
1,4-Benzoquinone, commonly known as para-quinone, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H4O2. In a pure state, it forms bright-yellow crystals with a characteristic irritating odor, resembling that of chlorine, bleach, and hot plastic or formaldehyde. This six-membered ring compound is the oxidized derivative of 1,4-hydroquinone. The molecule is multifunctional: it exhibits properties of a ketone, being able to form oximes; an oxidant, forming the dihydroxy derivative; and an alkene, undergoing addition reactions, especially those typical for α,β-unsaturated ketones. 1,4-Benzoquinone is sensitive toward both strong mineral acids and alkali, which cause condensation and decomposition of the compound.
Dicarbon monoxide is a molecule that contains two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It is a linear molecule that, because of its simplicity, is of interest in a variety of areas. It is, however, so extremely reactive that it is not encountered in everyday life. It is classified as a carbene, cumulene and an oxocarbon.
Carbon trioxide (CO3) is an unstable oxide of carbon (an oxocarbon). The possible isomers of carbon trioxide include ones with molecular symmetry point groups Cs, D3h, and C2v. The C2v state, consisting of a dioxirane, has been shown to be the ground state of the molecule. Carbon trioxide should not be confused with the stable carbonate ion (CO2−
3).
Heptacene is an organic compound and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and the seventh member of the acene or polyacene family of linear fused benzene rings. This compound has long been pursued by chemists because of its potential interest in electronic applications and was first synthesized but not cleanly isolated in 2006. Heptacene was finally fully characterized in bulk by researchers in Germany and the United States in 2017.
Cyclohexanehexone, also known as hexaketocyclohexane and triquinoyl, is an organic compound with formula C6O6, the sixfold ketone of cyclohexane. It is an oxide of carbon, a hexamer of carbon monoxide.
Ethylene dione or ethylenedione, also called dicarbon dioxide, Carbon peroxide, ethenedione, or ethene-1,2-dione, is a chemical compound with the formula C2O2 or O=C=C=O. It is an oxide of carbon, and can be described as the carbon-carbon covalent dimer of carbon monoxide. It can also be thought of as the dehydrated form of glyoxylic acid, or a ketone of ethenone H2C=C=O.
Pentacarbon dioxide, officially penta-1,2,3,4-tetraene-1,5-dione, is an oxide of carbon (an oxocarbon) with formula C5O2 or O=C=C=C=C=C=O.
Tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, also called tetrahydroxy-p-benzoquinone, tetrahydroxybenzoquinone, or tetrahydroxyquinone, is an organic compound with formula C6O2(OH)4. Its molecular structure consists of a cyclohexadiene ring with four hydroxyl groups and two ketone groups in opposite (para) positions.
Tetracarbon dioxide is an oxide of carbon, a chemical compound of carbon and oxygen, with chemical formula C4O2 or O=C=C=C=C=O. It can be regarded as butatriene dione, the double ketone of butatriene — more precisely 1,2,3-butatriene-1,4-dione.
In chemistry, an oxocarbon anion is a negative ion consisting solely of carbon and oxygen atoms, and therefore having the general formula C
xOn−
y for some integers x, y, and n.
Tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone biscarbonate is a chemical compound, an oxide of carbon with formula C
8O
8. Its molecule consists of a 1,4-benzoquinone core with the four hydrogen atoms replaced by two carbonate groups. It can be seen as a fourfold ester of tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone and carbonic acid.
Boron monofluoride or fluoroborylene is a chemical compound with the formula BF, one atom of boron and one of fluorine. It is an unstable gas, but it is a stable ligand on transition metals, in the same way as carbon monoxide. It is a subhalide, containing fewer than the normal number of fluorine atoms, compared with boron trifluoride. It can also be called a borylene, as it contains boron with two unshared electrons. BF is isoelectronic with carbon monoxide and dinitrogen; each molecule has 14 electrons.
Polycarbonyl, is a solid, metastable, and explosive polymer of carbon monoxide. The polymer is produced by exposing carbon monoxide to high pressures. The structure of the solid appears amorphous, but may include a zigzag of equally-spaced CO groups.
Thiosulfurous acid is a hypothetical chemical compound with the formula HS−S(=O)−OH or HO−S(=S)−OH. Attempted synthesis leads to polymers. It is a low oxidation state (+1) sulfur acid. It is the Arrhenius acid for disulfur monoxide. Salts derived from thiosulfurous acid, which are also unknown, are named "thiosulfites", "thionosulfites" or "sulfurothioites". The ion is S=SO2−
2.
Tricarbon monoxide C3O is a reactive radical oxocarbon molecule found in space, and which can be made as a transient substance in the laboratory. It can be trapped in an inert gas matrix or made as a short lived gas. C3O can be classified as a ketene or an oxocumulene a kind of heterocumulene.
Sulfoxylic acid (H2SO2) (also known as hyposulfurous acid or sulfur dihydroxide) is an unstable oxoacid of sulfur in an intermediate oxidation state between hydrogen sulfide and dithionous acid. It consists of two hydroxy groups attached to a sulfur atom. Sulfoxylic acid contains sulfur in an oxidation state of +2. Sulfur monoxide (SO) can be considered as a theoretical anhydride for sulfoxylic acid, but it is not actually known to react with water.