ClO
chlorine monoxide · chlorine radical
Chlorine monoxide is a reactive, unstable radical molecule that acts as a key intermediate in atmospheric ozone depletion processes.
About chlorine monoxide
Chlorine monoxide is a reactive radical species composed of chlorine and oxygen. As a semiconducting molecule, it plays a critical role in atmospheric chemistry, particularly in the catalytic cycles that influence the ozone layer. Its electronic structure is defined by an unpaired electron, which drives its high reactivity and short-lived existence in natural environments.
Due to its position above the thermodynamic hull, this compound is inherently unstable and tends to participate rapidly in chemical reactions rather than existing as a stable bulk solid. Its presence is primarily observed in transient states, making it a subject of extensive study in environmental science and atmospheric modeling.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for chlorine monoxide, aggregated across 3 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Applications
Where chlorine monoxide is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about chlorine monoxide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is ClO?
Chlorine monoxide is a reactive, unstable radical molecule that acts as a key intermediate in atmospheric ozone depletion processes.
What is ClO used for?
What is the band gap of ClO?
Is ClO a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is ClO thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of ClO are known?
What elements does ClO contain?
Where does the data for ClO come from?
How It Compares
As a highly reactive radical, chlorine monoxide functions as a distinct chemical intermediate rather than a traditional structural material. Unlike stable, bulk inorganic compounds, it is defined by its fleeting existence and its pivotal role in gas-phase atmospheric kinetics.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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