A
Sample Array 1. The goal is to enter as many inorganic compounds that can be completed from the array as possible
2. Similar to the game ‘Boggle’, competitors may make compounds from any order of elements on the array that are touching and in a sequential order that matches the compound. Elements may connect horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
3. All answers must obey the rules for inorganic naming. This means you must have an element with a positive oxidative state first combined with an element or polyatomic ion with a negative oxidative state. Organic names such as methane are not allowed.
4. All answers must have a unique order of elements. For example, sulfur dioxide (SO2) is possible since sulfur has a +4 oxidative state and oxygen has a -2 oxidative state. Another possible answer would be sulfur trioxide (SO3) since sulfur also has a +6 oxidative state. However, if both of these answers were used, one of them would be marked incorrect since they both employ the same order of elements.
However, hydrogen and chlorine offer an interesting opportunity. Since both hydrogen and chlorine have both a +1 and a -1 oxidative state, both hydrogen chloride (HCl) and monochlorine hydride (ClH) can be used since the order of elements is different. Of course monochlorine hydride has no practical meaning in the real world, but it correctly obeys the rules of compound boggle.
5. The compound name must unambiguously give the correct formula. For example, Hydrogen sulfide has only one possible compound: H2S. Dihydrogen sulfide is also correct, but since hydrogen only has a +1 oxidative state, and sulfur’s only negative oxidative state is -2, then no other combination is possible.
6. You may NOT form any compound by combining a positive oxidation state of a non-metallic element with ANY polyatomic negative ions such as chlorate (ClO31-) or sulfate (SO42-) etc. For example, Sulfur carbonate (SCO3) would be incorrect. For the purposes of this game, elements with a negative oxidative state are classified as non-metallic, with the exception of hydrogen. In addition, Boron and Silicon are classified as non-metallic (even though they do not exhibit a negative oxidative state).
Allowed
Elements.
While any element is in principle allowable, most of the ARRAY
will consist of the following elements:
H |
Li |
Na |
K |
Be |
Mg |
| Ca |
Ba | Cr |
Mn | Fe |
| Cu |
Ag | Zn |
Hg | B |
| Al |
C | Si |
Pb | Sn |
| N |
P | As |
Sb | O |
| S |
F | Cl |
Br | I |
PERIODIC TABLE
The only allowable OXIDATION STATES are those
published in the Official Compoind Boggle Periodic Table
Note
that the oxidation state of -1 is permitted for hydrogen in the formation of "hydrides".
POLYATOMIC IONS
The following list is provided of the ONLY
POLYATOMIC IONS that will be accepted during the event. If we have missed a favourite
of yours, please submit the ion, its formula and proper name in writing and we
will keep it in mind for next year! Please notice that while persulfate, sulphate,
sulfite and hyposulfite are very interesting, they repeat the same "SO"
sequence and according to the rules there is no advantage in using "derivative"
ions over the basic sulphate ion in forming compounds during the contest.
AlO2 ^ -1 | aluminate |
C2H3O2
^ -1 | acetate | NH4
^ +1 | ammonium (ion) | AsO4
^ -3 | arsenate | BrO3
^ -1 | bromate | CO3
^ -2 | carbonate | ClO3
^ -1 | chlorate | CrO4
^ -2 | chromate | CNO ^
-1 | cyanate | CN ^ -1 | cyanide |
HCO3 ^ -1 | hydrogen
carbonate | HS ^ -1 | hydrogen
sulfide ion | HSO4 ^-1 | hydrogen
sulphate | OH ^ -1 | hydroxide |
IO3 ^ -1 | iodate |
HPO4 ^ -2 | monohydrogen
phosphate | NO3 ^ -1 | nitrate |
MnO4 ^ -1 | permanganate |
PO4 ^ -3 | phosphate |
SeO4 ^ -2 | selenate |
SiO3 ^ -2 | silicate |
SO4 ^ -2 | sulphate |
SCN ^ -1 | thiocyanate |
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