One reason suggested for the instability of long chains of silicon atoms is that the decomposition involves the transition state shown below: The activation energy for such a process is 210 $\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$ , which is less than either the $\mathrm{Si}-$ Si or the $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{H}$ bond energy. Why would a similar mechanism not be expected to play a very important role in the decomposition of long chains of carbon atoms as seen in organic compounds?

          One reason suggested for the instability of long chains of silicon atoms is that the decomposition involves the transition state shown below:
The activation energy for such a process is 210 $\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$ , which is less than either the $\mathrm{Si}-$ Si or the $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{H}$ bond energy. Why would a similar mechanism not be expected to play a very important role in the decomposition of long chains of carbon atoms as seen in organic compounds?

Added by -Ngeles W.

Organic Chemistry

Janice Gorzynski Smith 4th Edition

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Dinesh Singh

01/29/2022

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This suggests that the transition state for this process is relatively stable. Show more…

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One reason suggested for the instability of long chains of silicon atoms is that the decomposition involves the transition state shown below: The activation energy for such a process is 210 $\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$ , which is less than either the $\mathrm{Si}-$ Si or the $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{H}$ bond energy. Why would a similar mechanism not be expected to play a very important role in the decomposition of long chains of carbon atoms as seen in organic compounds?