What is the most desirable oxidation state of silicon as an atom?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 14, 2016

Well it is probably as quartz, #SiO_2#.

Explanation:

So what is the oxidation state of silicon in quartz? Clearly it is #+IV#. Its Group 4 congener, #C#, forms carbon dioxide, #CO_2#, whose sublimation point is #-78# #""^@C#. Silicon dioxide has a boiling point of #2950# #""^@C#. How do you account for this difference?

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