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Interstitial Compounds: Learn its Definition, Formation, & Properties
IMPORTANT LINKS
The Solid State
Interstitial compounds are formed when atoms such as nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H) and carbon (C ) get trapped inside the crystal lattice of the metal. Transition metals shape a wide range of interstitial compounds when they react with atomic hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, boron and various other elements. These compounds are inflexible and difficult because the empty spaces of transition metals are jammed up by small atoms. The chemical characteristics of the parent transition metal do not change when interstitial compounds are synthesised.
Interstitial Compounds
The compounds that are formed due to the presence of atoms like nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H) and carbon (C ) get trapped inside the crystal lattice of the metal known as interstitial compounds. The vacant spaces of transition metals are filled up by small atoms and these compounds are hard and rigid. In interstitial compounds, the chemical properties of parent transition metal are not altered during their synthesis. But some significant changes in physical properties such as density, rigidity, hardness, malleability, conductivity and ductility, etc can be observed. Steel and cast iron are interstitial compounds of iron which are formed with carbon. In the process of formation of these compounds, the malleability and ductility of iron are lost to a great extent, but the tenacity of the metal is increased.
Transition metals typically crystallise in either hexagonal close-packed or face-centred cubic structures, which are both made up of layers of hexagonally close-packed atoms. Both of these very similar lattices have two types of interstices:
First, each metal atom can have two tetrahedral holes, implying a hole between the four metal atoms.
Second, each atom can have one octahedral hole, which is a hole between the six metal atoms.
Formation of Interstitial Compounds
The transition metals have defects in their crystal lattice. These transition metals form interstitial compounds as small atoms like carbon (C ), hydrogen (H) or nitrogen (N) are trapped inside the interstitial spaces in the crystal lattice of metals.
Interstitial Compounds Properties
The physical and chemical properties are as follows-
Physical Properties
- These compounds have very high melting points, higher than that of the parent transition metals.
- These compounds are very hard in nature. The hardness of some compounds is comparable to that of a diamond.
- The conductivity exhibited by these compounds is similar to their parent metal.
- The hardness of interstitial compound is used in alloy hardening and high-speed cutting tool tip hardening.
Chemical Properties
- These compounds are chemically inert in nature.
is an interstitial steel compound that governs many properties of steel. - They are more reactive than the parent compounds, in general,
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Interstitial Compounds FAQs
How are interstitial compounds of transition metal formed?
Interstitial compounds are formed when atoms such as nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H) and carbon (C ) get trapped inside the crystal lattice of the metal.
Which metals form interstitial compounds?
Transition metals form interstitial compounds.
Are interstitial compounds chemically reactive?
Interstitial compounds are chemically inert in nature..
How do you identify interstitial compounds?
These compounds can be identified by the properties of their parent metal atoms.
Which interstitial compounds have less density?
The empty space between the molecules of the pure metal is the space where a molecule of relatively small radius can be filled. So,density is always increased in the interstitial compounds not decreased when compared with its parent pure metal.