Editing Oxide (section)

==Structure==
Oxides have a range of structures, from individual molecules to [[polymer]]ic and [[crystalline]] structures.  At standard conditions, oxides may range from solids to gases. Solid oxides of metals usually have polymeric structures at ambient conditions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Transition Metal Oxides. An Introduction to Their Electronic Structure and Properties|author=P.A. Cox |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-19-958894-7}}</ref> 

===Molecular oxides===
<gallery widths="140" heights="100" caption="Some important gaseous oxides">
File:Carbon-dioxide-2D-dimensions.svg|[[Carbon dioxide]] is the main product of fossil fuel combustion.
File:Carbon monoxide 2D.svg|[[Carbon monoxide]] is the product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels and a precursor to many useful chemicals.
File:Nitrogen-dioxide-2D-dimensions-vector.svg|[[Nitrogen dioxide]] is a problematic pollutant from internal combustion engines.
File:Sulfur-dioxide-2D.svg|[[Sulfur dioxide]], the principal oxide of [[sulfur]], is emitted from volcanoes.
File:Nitrous-oxide-2D-dimensions.png|[[Nitrous oxide]] ("laughing gas") is a potent greenhouse gas produced by soil bacteria. 
</gallery>

Although most metal oxides are crystalline solids, many non-metal oxides are molecules.  Examples of molecular oxides are [[carbon dioxide]] and [[carbon monoxide]]. All simple oxides of nitrogen are molecular, e.g., [[Nitric oxide|NO]], [[Nitrous oxide|N<sub>2</sub>O]], [[Nitrogen dioxide|NO<sub>2</sub>]] and [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]]. [[Phosphorus pentoxide]] is a more complex molecular oxide with a deceptive name, the real formula being P<sub>4</sub>O<sub>10</sub>. Tetroxides are rare, with a few more common examples being  [[ruthenium tetroxide]], [[osmium tetroxide]], and [[xenon tetroxide]].<ref name=Greenwood/>