Inorganic Chemistry - Wurtzite vs. Rock-Salt Structures Beryllium oxide (BeO) prefers the Wurtzite structure type (typical of ZnS) while LiF prefers the rock-salt structure type (typical of NaCI). Why does this happen? Use the following terms/words in your explanation a) ionic radii b) chemical bonding Solution Beryllium oxide prefers wurtzite structure type whereas LiF prefers rocksalt type structure. If we look all these elements, namely, Be, O, Li, and F falls in the second period of periodic structure. Atomic radius decreases from left to right in the periodic table. This is because of addition of an electron in the same shell of the atom which compresses the atom due to more attraction towarrds the nucleus. The electronegativity of elements increases from left to right since it is inverse property of atomic radii. Atomic radius of Be 2+ is less than Li + whereas atomic size of O 2- is more than F - . Moreover, LiF is ionic in natute due to coulombic interaction of highly electropositive atom (Li) and highly electronegative atom (F). On the other hand, BeO is having covalent character along with ionic character in their chemical bond. Thus, BeO prefers wurtzite structure type whereas LiF prefers rocksalt type structure. .

1. Inorganic Chemistry - Wurtzite vs. Rock-Salt Structures
Beryllium oxide (BeO) prefers the Wurtzite structure type (typical of ZnS) while LiF prefers the
rock-salt structure type (typical of NaCI). Why does this happen? Use the following terms/words
in your explanation a) ionic radii b) chemical bonding
Solution
Beryllium oxide prefers wurtzite structure type whereas LiF prefers rocksalt type structure.
If we look all these elements, namely, Be, O, Li, and F falls in the second period of periodic
structure. Atomic radius decreases from left to right in the periodic table. This is because of
addition of an electron in the same shell of the atom which compresses the atom due to more
attraction towarrds the nucleus. The electronegativity of elements increases from left to right
since it is inverse property of atomic radii. Atomic radius of Be 2+
is less than Li +
whereas
atomic size of O 2-
is more than F -
. Moreover, LiF is ionic in natute due to coulombic interaction
of highly electropositive atom (Li) and highly electronegative atom (F). On the other hand, BeO
is having covalent character along with ionic character in their chemical bond. Thus, BeO prefers
wurtzite structure type whereas LiF prefers rocksalt type structure.