Difference Between Catenation and Tetravalency

Thekey differencebetween catenation and tetravalency is thatcatenation includes the binding of atoms of the same chemical element to form chain or ring structures whereas tetravalency refers to the ability to form fourcovalent bonds.

Both terms catenation and tetravalency are used alongside with the chemical element carbon due to its characteristic properties. Carbon can form chain or ring structures by binding many carbon atoms via covalent bonds and one carbon atom shows avalencyof four because it has fourvalence electrons它可以接受其他四个电子以形成共价键。

内容

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What is Catenation
3.什么是四局
4.Side by Side Comparison – Catenation vs Tetravalency in Tabular Form
5.概括

什么是搭配？

Catenation refers to the ability of atoms of a particular chemical element to bind to itself, forming chain or ring structures. In catenation, we talk mainly about the chemical element carbon, which is able to form aliphatic and aromatic structures via binding a large number of carbon atoms. In addition, there are some other chemical elements that can form these structures, including sulfur and phosphorous.

However, if a certain chemical element undergoes catenation, it must have a valency that is at least two. Also, this chemical element must be able to form strong chemical bonds between the atoms of its kind; e.g. covalent bonds. Sometimes, it is referred to as polymerization. Some examples of chemical elements that can undergo catenation are as follows:

1. Carbon
2. Sulfur
3. 硅
4. Germanium
5. 氮
6. Selenium
7. Tellurium

什么是四局?

The term tetravalency refers to the ability of an atom of a particular chemical element to form four covalent bonds. In other words, it is the property of having a valency of four, so it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of a different chemical element. In this term, “tetra” means “four”. The most common chemical element with tetravalency is the carbon atom. It has four electrons in its outermost valence shell and it can either donate these four electrons or can accept four electrons from outside. Another example is silicon, which also has four valence electrons and behaves similar to carbon.

Due to tetravalency, atoms tend to form tetrahedral molecules by accepting four electrons from four different atoms and binding with them through covalent bonds. Based on the type of covalent bond (single covalent bonds, double bonds and triple bonds), the shape and geometry of the molecules formed by these atoms may vary. Eg: if an atom forms two single bonds and one double bond, it gives a trigonal planar molecule and if there are two double bonds, the molecule formed from this tetravalent atom if linear.

What is the Difference Between Catenation and Tetravalency?

搭配和四气息之间的关键区别在于，融合包括相同化学元件与形成链或环结构的原子的结合，而四局部是指形成四个共价键的能力。

The following table summarizes the difference between catenation and tetravalency.

概括– Catenation vs Tetravalency

Catenation and tetravalency are terms that are mainly used along with the chemical element carbon. The key difference between catenation and tetravalency is that catenation includes the binding of atoms of the same chemical element to form chain or ring structures, whereas tetravalency refers to the ability to form four covalent bonds.

Reference:

1. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “Catenation Definition and Examples.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020,Available here.
2. “Catenation.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 8 Aug. 2007,Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Benzene-aromatic-3D-balls” By Benjah-bmm27 – Own work (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia
2. “Tetrahedral-3D-balls” (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia