In the following pictures of binary hydrides, ivory spheres
represent H atoms or ions, and burgundy spheres represent
atoms or ions of the other element.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(a) Identify each binary hydride as ionic, covalent, or interstitial.
(b) What is the oxidation state of hydrogen in compounds (1), (2), and (3)? What is the oxidation state of the other
element?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of binary hydride: Determine if the hydride is ionic, covalent, or interstitial based on the elements involved. Ionic hydrides typically involve alkali or alkaline earth metals, covalent hydrides involve nonmetals, and interstitial hydrides involve transition metals.
2. Determine the oxidation state of hydrogen: In ionic hydrides, hydrogen usually has an oxidation state of -1. In covalent hydrides, hydrogen typically has an oxidation state of +1.
3. Determine the oxidation state of the other element: For ionic hydrides, the metal will have a positive oxidation state equal to its group number. For covalent hydrides, use the known oxidation state of hydrogen to deduce the oxidation state of the other element.
4. Apply the rules for oxidation states: Ensure that the sum of the oxidation states in the compound equals zero, as compounds are electrically neutral.
5. Review and verify: Double-check the identified types of hydrides and calculated oxidation states to ensure they are consistent with the chemical properties of the elements involved.

Key Concepts

Types of Bonding

Binary hydrides can be classified based on the type of bonding present: ionic, covalent, or interstitial. Ionic hydrides form when hydrogen bonds with highly electronegative elements, resulting in the transfer of electrons. Covalent hydrides occur when hydrogen shares electrons with nonmetals, while interstitial hydrides involve hydrogen occupying interstitial sites in a metal lattice, typically with transition metals.

Oxidation States

The oxidation state of an element in a compound indicates the degree of oxidation or reduction it has undergone. For hydrogen, the oxidation state is typically +1 when bonded to nonmetals and -1 when bonded to metals. Understanding how to assign oxidation states is crucial for determining the overall charge balance in binary hydrides and the oxidation states of the other elements involved.

Hydride Classification

Hydrides can be classified into different categories based on their properties and the elements involved. For example, ionic hydrides are usually formed with alkali and alkaline earth metals, while covalent hydrides are formed with nonmetals. Recognizing these classifications helps in predicting the behavior and characteristics of the hydrides in question, including their reactivity and stability.