Review article
https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2020.058
Chemistry in Teaching:
Carbon, Silicon, Oxygen: Chemical Analogy Between Living and Non-living
Nenad Raos
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Carbon and silicon are similar chemical elements, being the members of the same, 14th (4B), group of the periodic system; not only in science fiction but also in serious scientific works could there be found speculations about the possibility of extra-terrestrial life based on silicon. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of carbon and silicon, as well as their respective compounds were compared (alkanes – silanes, cyclic hydrocarbons – cyclosilicates, heterocyclic compounds – alumosilicates). Their geochemistry shows mutual dependence of carbon and silicon circulations. Moreover, comparison of silica (quartz) with water (ice) points to unexpected similarities of the two minerals.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Keywords
chemical education; hydrogen bond; origin of life; extra-terrestrial life; geochemistry
Hrčak ID:
277568
URI
Publication date:
15.5.2022.
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