Question

Interstitial compounds are:
a.) Non-stoichiometric and are ionic in nature
b.) Non-stoichiometric and are covalent in nature
c.) Non-stoichiometric and are neither typically ionic or covalent in nature
d.) Stoichiometric and are neither ionic nor covalent in nature

Answer 1

Hint: Ionic in nature means they have cation and anion. And covalent nature means sharing of electrons not completely but partially. So, we have to check these characters in interstitial compounds.

Complete step by step solution:
Interstitial compounds are those which are formed when small atoms like H, C, N, B etc. are trapped inside the crystal lattice of metals. They are generally non-stoichiometric and neither typically ionic or covalent in nature.
Non-stoichiometric compounds are chemical compounds deviated from stoichiometry, namely, their elemental composition cannot be represented by a ratio of well-defined natural numbers, and therefore they violate the law of definite proportions.
Most of the transition metals form interstitial compounds with small non-metal atoms such as H, C, B etc. These small atoms enter into the void sites between the packed atoms of crystalline transition metals and form chemical bonds with transition metals. For example: steel and cast iron.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: These compounds have some main characteristics like: high melting and boiling points, very hard, chemically inert but retain metallic conductivity. In their interstitial side small size atoms are present.