A network solid or covalent network solid is a chemical compound in which the atoms are bonded by covalent bonds in a continuous network. In a network solid there are no individual molecules and the entire crystal may be considered a macromolecule. Formulas for network solids as those for ionic compounds are simple ratios of the component atoms represented by a formula unit.

Examples of network solids include diamond with a continuous network of carbon atoms and silicon dioxide or quartz with a continuous three dimensional network of SiO₂ units. Graphite and the mica group of silicate minerals structurally consist of continuous two dimensional layers covalently bonded within the layer with other bond types holding the layers together.

[edit] References

• Zumdahl, Steven S., and Susan A. Zumdahl, Chemistry, Houghton Mifflin, 5th ed., 2000, pp. 470-476 ISBN 0-618-03591-5

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