How do we know for certain that atoms can’t have more than 8 maximum outermost electrons when atoms form chemical bonds? Is there any research being done to see why atoms prefer the octet rule?
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The octet rule is a pretty old and simplified model for chemical bonding. It is only applicable for second- and third-row main-group elements in the first place and even there you‘ll find many exceptions (for example: borane clusters, pentacoordinate carbon atoms). Still, many small molecules and most organic compounds follow the rule, and since it is easier to learn than the modern, more accurate bonding concepts, it is still widely taught.
Current research on chemical bonding is done with either molecular-orbital theory or valence-bonding theory, which are both based on quantum mechanics and were introduced in the early 1930s. Both theories have no need for an octet rule, and they are much more complicated. Sometimes, researchers still study whether a molecule obeys or violates the octet rule, but since 1) the concept has become redundant, and 2) many exceptions have already been found, this is no longer an exciting field of research.
The octet rule is a pretty old and simplified model for chemical bonding. It is only applicable for second- and third-row main-group elements in the first place and even there you‘ll find many exceptions (for example: borane clusters, pentacoordinate carbon atoms). Still, many small molecules and most organic compounds follow the rule, and since it is easier to learn than the modern, more accurate bonding concepts, it is still widely taught.
Current research on chemical bonding is done with either molecular-orbital theory or valence-bonding theory, which are both based on quantum mechanics and were introduced in the early 1930s. Both theories have no need for an octet rule, and they are much more complicated. Sometimes, researchers still study whether a molecule obeys or violates the octet rule, but since 1) the concept has become redundant, and 2) many exceptions have already been found, this is no longer an exciting field of research.
You see, we know how atoms work by solving very complicated quantum mechanics equations (in the past by hand!) And we could learn things like the orbital shape and other useful properties.
Now, solving everytime equations is hard and most of the time in chemistry there are a lot of shortcuts to make life easier. The octet rule is one of those, and if you look at the f and d block, or the haufbau filling rules you see that the octet is not so much set in stone!
Also, in the past by looking ad atom emission and absorption spectra we could find out quite accurately the energy of the levels, and it his way we can really see how electrons occupy atomic orbitals !
You see, we know how atoms work by solving very complicated quantum mechanics equations (in the past by hand!) And we could learn things like the orbital shape and other useful properties.
Now, solving everytime equations is hard and most of the time in chemistry there are a lot of shortcuts to make life easier. The octet rule is one of those, and if you look at the f and d block, or the haufbau filling rules you see that the octet is not so much set in stone!
Also, in the past by looking ad atom emission and absorption spectra we could find out quite accurately the energy of the levels, and it his way we can really see how electrons occupy atomic orbitals !
You see, we know how atoms work by solving very complicated quantum mechanics equations (in the past by hand!) And we could learn things like the orbital shape and other useful properties.
Now, solving everytime equations is hard and most of the time in chemistry there are a lot of shortcuts to make life easier. The octet rule is one of those, and if you look at the f and d block, or the haufbau filling rules you see that the octet is not so much set in stone!
Also, in the past by looking ad atom emission and absorption spectra we could find out quite accurately the energy of the levels, and it his way we can really see how electrons occupy atomic orbitals !
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