Structure of P4O10

Many inorganic solids have a 3-dimensional structure of the complex. Illustration different from the same compound will help us understand the structure. In the case of complex inorganic compounds, depicts the bond between atoms, such as those used in organic compounds usually cause confusion. Anion in most oxides, sulfides or metal halide to form tetrahedral or octahedral cations surrounding the metal. Although there are no bonds between the anions, the structure will be simplified if the structure is illustrated with anion polyhedra sharing corners, sides or front. In illustration of this kind, the metal atoms are usually ignored.

As mentioned ionic structures can be regarded as a composition terjejal anions. Figure 2.12 illustrates this representation for the three molecular phosphorus pentoxide P2O5 (= P4O10)