Suboxide

Suboxides are a class of oxides wherein the electropositive element is in excess relative to the “normal” oxides.[1] When the electropositive element is a metal, the compounds are sometimes referred to as “metal-rich”. Thus the normal oxide of caesium is Cs2O, which is described as a Cs+ salt of O2−. A suboxide of caesium is Cs11O3, where the charge on Cs is clearly less than 1+, but the oxide is still described as O2−. Suboxides typically feature extensive bonding between the electropositive element, often leading to clusters.

Examples of suboxides other than alkali metal derivatives:[2]

  1. ^ Simon, Arndt (1997). "Group 1 and 2 suboxides and subnitrides — Metals with atomic size holes and tunnels". Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 163: 253–270. doi:10.1016/S0010-8545(97)00013-1.
  2. ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.