Knowledge Bank

Silicon atoms when cocondensed with molecular oxygen in excess argon at 15K react to form SiO, $O3$ and $SiO2$. Evidence for reaction occurs only when the oxygen concentrations are greater than 2 percent. This unusually high concentration suggests that the reaction occurs through a bi-molecular oxygen intermediate. The spectra and structure of $SiO2$ and the reaction mechanism will be discussed in more detail.