Carbon and its compounds notes:
Covalent Bond:
The bond formed by mutual sharing of electron pairs between two atoms in a molecule.
Covalent bonding in carbon compounds
The atomic number of carbon is 6 and its electronic configuration is 2, 4. Therefore, needs to gain or lose four
electrons to attain noble gas configuration.
But it is not possible for carbon to form ionic bonds due to the following reasons:
(i) 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.
(ii) It could lose four electrons forming C4+ cations. But it requires a large amount of energy to
remove four electrons.
Carbon overcomes this problem by sharing its valence electrons with other carbon atoms or with
atoms of other elements. Thus, carbon forms covalent bonds.
Formation of Hydrogen Molecule(Single bond):
Atomic number of Hydrogen = 1
Number of valence electrons = 1
Formation of oxygen molecule (Double Bond):
Formation of nitrogen molecule (Triple Bond)
Atomic number of Nitrogen= 7 [2, 5]
Number of valence electrons = 5
Formation of CH4 Molecule
Atomic number of Carbon = 6 [2, 4]
Number of valence electrons = 4
Atomic number of Hydrogen = 1
Number of valence electrons = 1
Formation of CO2 Molecule
Atomic number of Carbon = 6 [2, 4]
Number of valence electrons = 4
Atomic number of Oxygen = 8 [2, 6]
Number of valence electrons = 6
Formation of H2S Molecule
Atomic number of Sulphur = 16 [2, 8, 6]
Number of valence electrons = 6
Allotropes of Carbon
Different forms of an element that have same chemical properties but different physical properties
are known as Allotropes.
There are three allotropes of carbon - Diamond, graphite and Fullerene
(i) Diamond
In diamond, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms forming a rigid three-
dimensional structure.
• It is the hardest substance known.
• It has high melting point.
• It is a bad conductor of electricity.
• It is used in making jewellery. It is also used in cutting and drilling tools.
(ii) Graphite
• Each carbon atom is bonded with other three carbon atoms in the same plane forming
hexagonal rings.
• These rings are stacked over each other through weak Van der Waals forces.
• Graphite is also a very good conductor of electricity.
• It is used as dry lubricant.
• It is used in making pencil lead.
(iii) Fullerene
• C60, also known as Buckminsterfullerene, is the most common form of fullerenes.
• It has carbon atoms arranged in the shape of a football.
• It consists of 60 carbon atoms arranged in 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.
Versatile nature of carbon
(i)Catenation:
Carbon has the unique ability to form covalent bonds with other atoms of carbon, giving rise to
large molecules. This property is called catenation.
Carbon exhibits catenation property due to the following reasons:
• Size of the carbon atom is very small. This enables its nucleus to hold the shared pair of
electrons strongly.
• The carbon-carbon bond is quite strong.
(ii) Tetravalent Nature:
Since carbon has a valency of four, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of carbon or atoms
of some other mono-valent element.
Hydrocarbons
Compounds of carbon and hydrogen are known as hydrocarbons.
For example - Methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6), etc.
Saturated Hydrocarbon (Alkanes): General formula is CnH2n+2.
n = number of carbon atoms.
In this, the carbon atoms are connected by only a single bond.
For example; Methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6) etc.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Alkenes: General formula is CnH2n, where n = number of carbon atoms.
In this, the two carbon atoms are connected by double bond.
Alkynes: General formula is CnH2n-2, where n = number of carbon atoms. In this, the two carbon atoms
are connected by triple bond.
Isomerism:
Compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural formula and
properties are known as Isomers and this phenomenon is known as Isomerism.
Structural Isomerism:
Compounds having the same molecular formula but different structures are called
Structural isomers.
Example:
Isomers of butane (C4H10)
Homologous series
A series of organic compounds having the same functional group and chemical properties and in
which the successive members differ by CH2 unit or 14 mass units
Characteristic of homologous series are:
• The successive members in homologous series differ by CH2 unit or 14 mass unit.
• All compounds of a homologous series have the same functional group.
• All compounds of homologous series shows similar chemical properties due to the addition of
same kind of functional group throughout the chain.
Homologous series of Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes: