Delhi Public School-Bopal, Ahmedabad
Class 10
Chapter 4 Carbon and its compounds Notes
Covalent Bond: The atomic number of carbon is 6. Its electronic configuration is 2, 4. It
requires, 4 electrons to achieve the inert gas electronic configuration. But carbon cannot form
an ionic bond
It could gain four electrons forming C4- cation. But it would be difficult for the nucleus with
six protons to hold on to ten electrons.
It could lose four electrons forming C4+ cations. But it requires a large amount of energy to
remove four electrons.
Thus, carbon overcomes this problem by sharing of its valence electrons with other carbon
atoms or with atoms of other elements.
The bond formed by mutual sharing of electron pairs between two atoms in a molecule is
known as Covalent Bond.
• Single Covalent Bond: When a single pair of electrons are shared between two atoms
in a molecule. For example; F2, Cl2, H2 etc.
• Double Covalent Bond: When two pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms in
a molecule. For example; O2, CO2 etc.
• Triple Covalent Bond: When three pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms in
a molecule. For example; N2 etc.
Allotropes of Carbon
Different forms of an element that have the same chemical properties but different
physical properties are known as Allotropes. There are three allotropes of carbon-
diamond, graphite and fullerene.
Diamond
Diamond exists as a three-dimensional network with strong carbon-carbon covalent
bonds. Diamonds are hard in nature with high melting points. It shines in the presence
of light and it is a bad conductor of electricity. The most common use of diamonds is
in making jewellery. It is also used in cutting and drilling tools.
Graphite
Graphite is made from weak Van der Waal forces. Each carbon atom is bonded wit h
the other three carbon atoms to form hexagonal rings. It serves as a good conductor of
heat and electricity. It is used as a dry lubricant for machine parts as well as it is used
in lead pencils.
Fullerene
It is a hollow cage that exists in the form of a sphere. Its structure is similar to
fullerene. But along with hexagonal rings, sometimes pentagonal or heptagonal rings
are also present.
Fig.1 Structure of fullerene
Two Important Properties of Carbon
Catenation and tetravalency are the two important properties of carbon. Catenation is
a property of carbon by which carbon atoms can link one another via the covalent
bonds and can form long chains, closed rings or branched chains etc. Carbon atoms
can be linked by single, double or triple bonds. Carbon has a valency of 4 due to
which it is known to have tetravalency. Due to this one carbon atom can bond with
other 4 carbon atoms, with other atoms also such as Oxygen, Nitrogen etc.
Hydrocarbons
Compounds that are made up of carbon and hydrogen are known as Hydrocarbons.
There are two types of hydrocarbons found - Saturated
Hydrocarbons and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons. Saturated Hydrocarbons consist of
single bonds between the carbon atoms. For Example, Alkanes. Alkanes are saturated
hydrocarbons represented by a formula, CnH2n+2.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons are the ones with double or triple bonds between the
carbon atoms. For Example, Alkenes and Alkynes. Alkenes are represented as
CnH2n whereas alkynes are represented as CnH2n-2. Some saturated hydrocarbons
and unsaturated hydrocarbons are represented as -
Fig.2. Saturated hydrocarbons
Fig. 3. Unsaturated hydrocarbons
The structure of hydrocarbons can be represented in the form of electron dot structure
as well as open structures as shown below-
Fig.4. Electron dot structure and open structure of ethane
Fig.5. Electron dot structure and open structure of ethyne
Carbons Compounds based on the structure
Carbon Compounds can be classified as straight-chain compounds, branched-chain
compounds and cyclic compounds. They are represented as -
Fig.6. Straight chain carbon compound
Fig.7. Branched-chain compounds
Fig.8. Cyclic carbon compounds
Functional Groups
One of the hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbons can be replaced by other atoms according
to their valencies. The atoms which decide the properties of the carbon atoms are
known as Functional Groups. For Example, Cl, Br, -OH, Aldehyde, Ketone,
Carboxylic Acid etc.
Homologous Series
Series of compounds in which the same functional group substitutes f or the hydrogen
atom in a chain of carbon.
Fig.9. Homologous series
Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds
• First of all, identify the number of carbon atoms in compounds. And in it
identify the longest chain
• Then the functional group can be indicated by suffix or prefix.
• Cyclic hydrocarbon is designated by the prefix cyclo.
• If there are two or more different substituents they are listed in alphabetical
order
Fig.10. Different functional groups
Chemical Properties of Carbon Compounds
Combustion
Carbon along with its compound is used as a fuel as it burns in presence of oxygen to
release energy. Saturated hydrocarbons produce blue and non -sooty flame whereas
unsaturated hydrocarbons produce a yellow sooty flame.
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
Oxidation
Alcohol can be oxidised to aldehydes whereas aldehydes, in turn, can be oxidised to
carboxylic acid. Oxidising agents such as potassium permanganate can be used for
oxidation.
Addition Reaction
Hydrogenation of vegetable oil is an example of an additional reaction. Addition of
hydrogen in presence of catalysts such as nickel or palladium. This converts the oil
into ghee.
Substitution Reaction
When one atom in hydrocarbon is replaced by chlorine, bromine, etc. this is known as
a Substitution Reaction.
Important Carbon Compounds: Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid
Ethanol is a volatile liquid with a low melting point. It reacts with sodium to form
sodium ethoxide.
This reaction is used to test the presence of ethanol by the evolution of hydrogen gas.
Dehydration of ethanol in presence of hot sulphuric acid forms alkene.
Ethanoic acid is a colourless liquid. When pure ethanoic acid freezes like ice, it is
known as Glacial Acetic Acid. It is formed at a temperature of about 16.6 degrees
centigrade
Ethanoic Acid/Acetic acid when reacts with ethanol forms an ester. Ester can be
identified by its sweet smell.
The reaction of esters with a strong base is used to form soap. This is known
as Saponification. Acetic acid also reacts with a strong base to form sodium acetate
and water.
NaOH + CH3COOH + CH3COONa + H2O
Soaps and Detergents
Sodium or potassium salt of a carboxylic acid is known as Soap. They work most
effectively in soap water. Detergents are sulphonate or ammonium salt of a long chain
of carboxylic acid. They can work effectively on soft as well as hard water.
Cleansing Action of Soaps and Detergents
The cleansing action of soaps and detergents is due to the ability to minimise the
surface tension of water, to emulsify oil or grease and hold them in a suspension of
water. When soap dissolves in water, it forms soap anions and soap cations. The
hydrophobic part of soaps and detergents are soluble in grease and the hydrophilic
part is soluble in water.
Soap and Micelle Formation
When dirt and grease are mixed with soap water, soap molecules arrange them in tiny
clusters known as Micelle. The hydrophilic part sticks to the water and forms the
outer surface of the micelle and the hydrophobic part binds to oil and g rease.