Question

What is the coordination number of carbon in the graphite structure?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

I had been asked this question in an online interview.

The doubt is from Modification of Existing Structures by Ion Exchange and Intercalation Reactions topic in chapter Preparative Methods of Solid State Chemistry

Answer 1

Right option is (c) 3

Easy explanation: Coordination number is also known as ligancy, it is the number of atoms, ions, or molecules that a central atom or in holds as its nearest neighbours in a complex or coordination compound or in a crystal. Hence the coordination number of carbon is 3 because of which the individual carbon, layers are not closely packed layers.