what is Catenation?
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Answer:
Catenation is the bonding of atoms of the same element into a series, called a chain. ... Catenation occurs most readily with carbon, which forms covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to form longer chains and structures. This is the reason for the presence of the vast number of organic compounds in nature.
Catenation can be defined as the self-linking of atoms of an element to form chains and rings. This definition can be extended to include the formation of layers like two-dimensional catenation and space lattices like three-dimensional catenation.
The most common examples of catenation or elements that exhibit catenation are:
Carbon
Silicon
Sulfur
Boron
Catenation occurs most readily in carbon, forming covalent bonds to form longer chains and structures with other carbon atoms. This is why the vast number of organic compounds are found in nature. Carbon is best known for its catenation properties, with the analysis of catenated carbon structures in organic chemistry.
Carbon is by no means the only element capable of forming such catenae, however, and several other main group elements are capable of forming a wide range of catenae, including silicon, sulfur, and boron.