Question
What are interstitial compounds? Why do these compounds have higher melting points than corresponding pure metals?

Answer

When small atoms like hydrogen, carbon or nitrogen are trapped in the interstitial spaces within the crystal lattice, the compounds formed are called interstitial compounds.
The melting points of interstitial compounds are higher than those of pure metals because of bonding between the metal and the non-metal, which is stronger than metal–metal bonding.

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