FORM 4 CSEC CHEMISTRY SECTION A PRINCIPLES IN CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE AND BONDING – ALLOTROPES OF CARBON NOTES
ALLOTROPES
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Allotropes are different crystalline or molecular forms of the same element in the same
physical state.
TABLE 1: EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTS THAT EXHIBIT ALLOTROPY
ELEMENT ALLOTROPE IMAGE
Sulphur Monoclinic
Sulphur
Rhombic
Sulphur
Phosphorous Red
Phosphorous
White
Phosphorous
Black
Phosphorous
Carbon Diamond
Graphite
Oxygen Molecular
Oxygen- O2
Ozone- O3
FORM 4 CSEC CHEMISTRY SECTION A PRINCIPLES IN CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE AND BONDING – ALLOTROPES OF CARBON NOTES
Giant Molecular Structure/Macromolecular
Macromolecular/ Giant Molecular Structures have a 3D network of covalent bonds.
Diamond and graphite are both Giant Molecular Structures made up of carbon atoms ONLY.
Structure of Diamond
Made up of carbon atoms only
Each carbon atom covalently bonded to 4 other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral
arrangement.
Carbon
atoms
Strong covalent
bonds
FIGURE 1 STRUCTURE OF DIAMOND
How to draw the structure of diamond
Learn to draw the diagram given above. Do it in the following stages:
Step 1: Step 3:
Step 2:
Step 4:
FORM 4 CSEC CHEMISTRY SECTION A PRINCIPLES IN CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE AND BONDING – ALLOTROPES OF CARBON NOTES
Physical Properties of Diamond
Has a very high melting point (almost 4000°C). A lot of energy is required to break down the network of
strong carbon-carbon covalent bonds.
Very hard because of the strong covalent bonding throughout makes it difficult to scratch the surface of
the crystal. Diamond is one of the hardest substance.
Doesn’t conduct electricity due to the absence of mobile electrons which are all used up in covalent
bonding. RE: Each carbon atom is bonded to 4 other carbon atoms.
Is insoluble in water and organic solvents. The network of covalent bonds are too strong to allow solvent
molecules to form strong bonds with the individual atoms.
Transparent
Uses of Diamond based on physical property
Diamond is hard making it ideal to use for the edges of cutting tools such as drilling bits
Diamond is used as glass cutters because it is one of the hardest substance.
Graphite
Draw the structure of graphite
Carbon
atoms
Weak van der
Waals’ forces
Strong covalent
bonds
FIGURE 1 GRAPHITE
Structure of graphite
In graphite each carbon atom is covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms in the same plane.
The carbon atoms form six-membered hexagonal rings that link up to form flat layers/sheets.
The hexagonal rings are arranged in parallel layers with weak forces of attraction called Van der Waals’
forces between the atoms in each layer.
The layers can easily slide away from each other when a force is applied. For this reason, graphite is
smooth and slippery.
FORM 4 CSEC CHEMISTRY SECTION A PRINCIPLES IN CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE AND BONDING – ALLOTROPES OF CARBON NOTES
FIGURE 2 STRUCTURE OF GRAPHITE
Properties of graphite
High melting point
The strong covalent bonds between the atoms in each layer are strong, and a lot of heat energy is required to
break these bonds when graphite melts. This explains why graphite has a very high melting point (3652 oC)
Conducts electricity
Not all the electrons in graphite are used in bonding, there are some free (mobile) electrons which enable
graphite to conduct electricity.
Soft, Smooth and slippery
The Van der Waals’ forces of attraction between the atoms in each layer is weak. The layers can easily slide
away from each other when a force is applied. For this reason, graphite is smooth and slippery.
Insoluble in water and organic solvents
The network of covalent bonds is too strong to allow solvent molecules to form strong enough bonds with
the individual atoms.
Uses of graphite with respect to physical properties
To make pencil points – because it is soft, smooth and slippery – weak Van der Waals’ forces between
hexagonal layers allowing the layers to slide over each other.
Electrodes – good electrical conductor – the fourth electron between the layers is delocalised. It is a free
electron and these free electrons between the layers allows graphite to conduct electricity.
FORM 4 CSEC CHEMISTRY SECTION A PRINCIPLES IN CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE AND BONDING – ALLOTROPES OF CARBON NOTES
Lubricant, like oil– soft, smooth and slippery - weak Van der Waals’ forces between hexagonal layers
allowing the layers to slide over each other.