Question

Carbon and silicon belong to the ${14}^{th}$ group. The maximum coordination number of carbon in commonly occurring compounds is 4, whereas that of silicon is 6. This is due to:

• A. the availability of low energy d-orbitals in silicon
  
• B. large size of silicon
  
• C. more electropositive nature of silicon
• D. both (b) & (c)

Answer 1

The correct option is A the availability of low energy d-orbitals in silicon


Silicon has a coordination number of six owing to the presence of low energy d-orbitals which can also participate in bonding.