How common are quadruple bonds?

Quadruple bonds are relatively rare in comparison to single, double, and even triple bonds. A quadruple bond consists of one sigma bond and three pi bonds. While these types of bonds can exist, they are typically found only in specific metal complexes, particularly those involving transition metals.

In most organic and inorganic compounds, the formation of quadruple bonds is not favored due to steric and electronic factors. The complexity of forming such bonds, along with the limited range of elements that can participate in quadruple bonding interactions, contributes to their rarity. Unlike single and double bonds—which are abundant and versatile across a wide array of chemical contexts—quadruple bonds tend to occur much less frequently, making them a more specialized phenomenon in chemistry.

Thus, characterizing quadruple bonds as rare accurately reflects their limited occurrence and specialization in certain chemical environments.