How Elements Form Compounds
Chemical compounds are formed when two or more elements combine through chemical bonds. Understanding these combinations is fundamental to chemistry.
Types of Chemical Bonds
Ionic Bonds Formed between metals and nonmetals. One atom donates electrons, another accepts. - Example: NaCl (Sodium Chloride) - Na donates, Cl accepts
Covalent Bonds Formed when atoms share electrons. Common in organic compounds. - Example: H₂O (Water) - Oxygen shares electrons with two Hydrogens
Metallic Bonds Found in pure metals and alloys where electrons are shared among many atoms.
Common Element Combinations
Carbon-Based (Organic) Carbon's ability to form four bonds makes it the basis of organic chemistry: - C + H = Hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane) - C + H + O = Alcohols, sugars, acids - C + H + N = Amines, amino acids - C + H + O + N = Proteins, nucleic acids
Oxygen Compounds Oxygen forms compounds with almost every element: - Metal + O = Metal oxides (rust, lime) - Nonmetal + O = Nonmetal oxides (CO₂, SO₂) - H + O = Water, hydrogen peroxide
Halogen Compounds Halogens (F, Cl, Br, I) are highly reactive: - Metal + Halogen = Salts (NaCl, KBr) - H + Halogen = Acids (HCl, HF)
Why Some Combinations Don't Exist
Not all element combinations form stable compounds: - Noble gases rarely form compounds (stable electron configuration) - Some elements repel each other electrochemically - Certain combinations are thermodynamically unstable
When you search for a combination on CompoundLookup and find few results, it might be because those elements don't readily combine!
Exploring with CompoundLookup
Our tool lets you explore these combinations intuitively: 1. Select elements you're curious about 2. See what compounds actually exist 3. Learn which combinations are common vs. rare
This hands-on exploration is impossible with traditional formula-based searches. Only CompoundLookup offers this element-first approach to chemical discovery.