Question

A volatile compound is formed by carbon monoxide and

• A. Cu
• B. Al
• C. Ni
• D. Si

Hint:

Nickel is known for forming volatile metal carbonyls such as Ni(CO)₄ when it reacts with carbon monoxide.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Carbon monoxide (CO) can form a volatile compound known as a metal carbonyl with certain metals. In this case, we evaluate which metal among the given options can form such a compound with CO.

• Cu (Copper): While copper can form coordination compounds, it does not typically form stable metal carbonyls with carbon monoxide under standard conditions.
• Al (Aluminum): Aluminum does not form volatile metal carbonyls naturally with carbon monoxide.
• Ni (Nickel): Nickel forms a well-known volatile compound with carbon monoxide called nickel carbonyl, \(\text{Ni(CO)}_4\). It is stable and volatile, extensively studied in the context of carbonyl chemistry.
• Si (Silicon): Silicon does not generally form simple volatile metal carbonyls with CO.

Correct Answer: Ni (Nickel)

Nickel's ability to form a volatile compound with carbon monoxide can be demonstrated by the formation of nickel carbonyl, \(\text{Ni(CO)}_4\), which is used in various industrial processes including nickel purification.

Answer 2

The problem involves identifying which element among the given options can form a volatile compound with carbon monoxide (CO). The options are Cu, Al, Ni, and Si. The correct answer is Ni (Nickel).

Here's the explanation:

Nickel (Ni), when combined with carbon monoxide (CO), forms a volatile compound known as nickel tetracarbonyl, which has the chemical formula Ni(CO)₄. This compound is formed via the Mond process, which is significant in nickel purification. Nickel tetracarbonyl is a colorless, volatile, and highly toxic liquid.

Among the choices:

• Cu (Copper) does not form a similar volatile carbonyl compound.
• Al (Aluminum) does not react with CO to form volatile compounds.
• Si (Silicon) also does not form volatile compounds with CO in typical conditions.

Therefore, Ni is the only correct option that forms a volatile compound with carbon monoxide.