What would occur if diamond were vaporized?

Question

Owen Ambrose · Accepted Answer

Well, were diamond turned into a gas, the three-dimensional structure would dissipate.........

Under extreme conditions of heat, diamond could be vaporized. Because diamond is a non-molecular material that is held together by strong #C-C# bonds, conditions would have to be exceptionally fierce. Given that #C(g)# would be much less dense than #C(s)#, we could not accurately depict diamond atoms, carbon atoms, on the same scale. A simple molecular substance is simply a discrete molecule, i.e. #O_2#, #CO_2#, #N_2#, a material with definite molecularity, i.e. boundaries. Of course, you could choose many others. A giant covalent substance is a non-molecular species, whose particles are individually linked by strong covalent bonds in an extended lattice with no molecular boundaries. Quartz, diamond, graphite, are examples. As for question 4(b), this is a rather nasty one. MY own feeling is that #C_60# is a molecular species, because it contains discrete molecules with definite size and structure. Certainly, an organic chemist can make bigger molecules than this.

Caleb Adams · Answer

undefined Diamond sublimation is the process by which diamond, which is made up entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure, turns into carbon dioxide gas (CO2) without going through a liquid phase. Sublimation occurs when a material is heated to extremely high temperatures (above 3,500 degrees Celsius or 6,332 degrees Fahrenheit) in the absence of oxygen.