The Main Group Elements, Fragments, Compounds and Clusters Obey the 4n Rule and Form 4n Series: They are Close relatives to Transition Metal Counterparts via the 14n Linkage

Abstract

<p>The paper presents numbers which were derived from 4n-based series in a matrix table. The numbers agree precisely with the total number of valence electrons surrounding the respective skeletal elements. The series approach focuses mainly on the number of skeletal elements and their respective number of valence electron content regardless of the origin of the electrons and the type of skeletal elements. For instance, any 6 skeletal elements of transition metal carbonyls surrounded by 86 valence electrons coded as (6,86), series S = 14n+2 normally adopt an octahedral geometry whereas (6,26) series S = 4n+2 for main group elements also tend to adopt an octahedral shape. The transition metal carbonyl cluster series were extensively covered in our previous articles. This paper demonstrates that the main group fragments, clusters and molecules which we normally explain by terms such as valency, valence electrons and octet rule also obey the 4n-based series. The fragments, molecules and clusters of the main group elements correspond well to those of respective transition metal clusters especially the carbonyls if the masking electrons are removed from them. Hence, the series approach is a qualitative method that acts as a unifier of some transition metal clusters with some main group elements clusters.</p>