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Chemistry Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds - Detailed Reaction Sheet

This section covers the essential properties, reactions, functional groups, and
important compounds of Carbon from NCERT Class 10 Chapter 4, with full
explanations.
1. Bonding and Nature of Carbon
Covalent Bonding: Carbon forms covalent bonds by sharing its four valence
electrons with other atoms. Carbon requires four electrons to achieve a stable noble
gas configuration (Neon). It achieves this by sharing, not by gaining or losing
electrons.
Methane (CH4) Formation: Carbon shares its four valence electrons with four
Hydrogen atoms, forming four single covalent bonds.
Unique Properties of Carbon (The two pillars of Organic Chemistry):
1. Catenation: The unique property of Carbon atoms to form bonds with other
Carbon atoms, resulting in very long chains, branched chains, or closed
rings. This allows for a vast number of carbon compounds.
2. Tetravalency: Carbon has a valency of four, allowing it to bond with four other
atoms simultaneously (C, H, O, N, S, Halogens).
Allotropes of Carbon: Different physical forms of Carbon.
• Diamond: Hardest natural substance, non-conductor of electricity (rigid 3D
structure).
• Graphite: Soft, slippery, good conductor of electricity (layered hexagonal
structure).

2. Hydrocarbons and Functional Groups

2.1 Hydrocarbon Types

2.2 Homologous Series
Definition: A series of compounds where successive members differ by a -CH2 unit
in molecular formula and 14 u (atomic mass) in mass, and show similar chemical
properties.
• Example: Methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6), Propane (C3H8).
2.3 Functional Groups
The atom or group of atoms that largely determines the chemical properties of a
carbon compound.

Group Name Structure Suffix Example

Alcohol -OH -ol Ethanol (C_2H_5OH)

Aldehyde -CHO -al Ethanal (CH_3CHO)

>C=O (in Propanone

Ketone -one
middle) (CH_3COCH_3)

Carboxylic Ethanoic Acid

-COOH -oic acid
Acid (CH_3COOH)

Halo- Chloro-, Chloromethane

-X (Cl, Br, I)
(Halogen) Bromo- (CH_3Cl$)

3. Chemical Reactions
3.1 Combustion (Burning) Reactions (Exothermic)
Details: All carbon compounds burn in air/oxygen to produce Carbon Dioxide, Water,
Heat, and Light.
1. Burning Methane (Natural Gas)
o Reaction: CH4 (Methane) + 2O2 (Oxygen) ==> CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) +
2H2O (Water) + Heat and Light
2. Burning Ethanol
o Reaction: C2H5OH (Ethanol) + 3O2 (Oxygen) ==> 2CO2 + 3H2O + Heat
and Light
3. Sooty vs. Clean Flame:
o Saturated hydrocarbons burn with a clean, blue flame (complete
combustion).
 o Unsaturated hydrocarbons burn with a yellow, sooty flame (incomplete
combustion due to insufficient oxygen supply, leading to unburnt
carbon particles).
o Board Exam Importance: Why a sooty flame occurs.
3.2 Oxidation Reactions
Definition: Using oxidizing agents to add Oxygen to a compound.
MOST IMPORTANT REACTION:
1. Oxidation of Alcohol to Carboxylic Acid
o Reaction: C2H5OH (Ethanol) + (Alkaline KMnO4/Acidified K2Cr2O7) +
Heat ==> CH3COOH (Ethanoic Acid) + H2O
o Details: Alkaline Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) or Acidified
Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7) are strong oxidizing agents. They
convert primary alcohols like Ethanol into Carboxylic Acids like
Ethanoic Acid. $KMnO4$ itself is purple, and the color
disappears/fades during the reaction.
3.3 Addition Reactions (Hydrogenation)
Definition: A reaction characteristic of unsaturated hydrocarbons where atoms are
added across the double or triple bond, making them saturated.
$*$ MOST IMPORTANT REACTION (Industrial):
1. Hydrogenation of Vegetable Oil
o Reaction: Unsaturated Hydrocarbon (Oil) + H2 (Hydrogen) + (Ni or Pd
Catalyst) + Heat ==> Saturated Hydrocarbon (Fat)
o Details: Used industrially to convert liquid vegetable oils (unsaturated)
into solid fats (saturated, e.g., Vanaspati Ghee or margarine). Nickel
(Ni) is the catalyst, which speeds up the reaction without being
consumed.
3.4 Substitution Reactions
Definition: A reaction characteristic of saturated hydrocarbons where an atom
(usually H) is replaced by another atom or group.
1. Chlorination of Methane
o Reaction: CH4 (Methane) + Cl2 (Chlorine) + Sunlight ==> CH3Cl
(Chloromethane) + HCl
o Details: The reaction occurs only in the presence of sunlight or high
energy. The reaction can continue, replacing all Hydrogen atoms.

4. Important Carbon Compounds

4.1 Ethanol (C_2H_5OH)
Properties: Alcohol group member, colorless, miscible with water, solvent.
Uses: Used in cough syrups, tonics, tincture of iodine, and as an additive in petrol
(gasohol).
$*$ MOST IMPORTANT REACTION (Dehydration):
1. Reaction to form Ethene (Unsaturated compound)
o Reaction: C2H5OH (Ethanol) + Hot Conc. H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid) at
443 K ==> C2H4 (Ethene) + H2O
o Details: Hot concentrated Sulphuric Acid acts as a powerful
dehydrating agent, removing water from the alcohol. This is an
elimination reaction.
o Board Exam Importance: Specific conditions (temperature, conc.
H2SO4) are crucial.
2. Reaction with Sodium (Test for Alcohol)
o Reaction: 2C2H5OH (Ethanol) + 2Na (Sodium) ==> 2C2H5ONa (Sodium
Ethoxide) + H2 (Hydrogen Gas)
o Details: Releases Hydrogen gas with a pop sound, proving the
presence of the -OH group.
4.2 Ethanoic Acid (Acetic Acid - $CH_3COOH$)
Properties: Carboxylic acid group member. A 5-8% solution in water is called
Vinegar. Pure $CH_3COOH$ is Glacial Acetic Acid (freezes in cold weather).
$*$ MOST IMPORTANT REACTION (Esterification):
1. Formation of Esters
o Reaction: CH3COOH (Ethanoic Acid) + C2H5OH (Ethanol) + Acid
Catalyst ==> CH3COOC2H5 (Ethyl Ethanoate/Ester) + H2O
o Details: Reaction between a Carboxylic Acid and an Alcohol produces
a sweet-smelling ester. Esters are used in perfumes and flavoring
agents. The reaction is reversible.
2. Saponification (Reverse of Esterification/Making Soap)
o Reaction: CH3COOC2H5 (Ester) + NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) ==>
C2H5OH (Ethanol) + CH3COONa (Sodium Acetate/Soap Salt)
o Details: Treating an ester with a strong base like $NaOH$ (alkaline
hydrolysis) produces the alcohol and the salt of the carboxylic acid
(soap).
3. Reaction with Carbonates/Hydrogencarbonates
o Reaction: 2CH3COOH (Ethanoic Acid) + Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate)
==> 2CH3COONa (Sodium Acetate) + CO2 + H2O
o Details: Releases Carbon Dioxide gas with brisk effervescence,
confirming its acidic nature.
5. Soaps and Detergents
Soap: Sodium or Potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.
$*$ MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPT (Micelle Formation):
• Structure: A soap molecule has two parts:
1. Hydrophilic Head: The ionic part (e.g., $-COO-Na+$) that is water-
soluble (water-loving).
2. Hydrophobic Tail: The long hydrocarbon chain (R) that is oil-soluble
(water-hating).
• Micelle Action: In water, the hydrophobic tails cluster together and stick to
the oily dirt, while the hydrophilic heads face outwards, forming a spherical
structure called a micelle. This helps emulsify the oil and allows the dirt to be
lifted and washed away.
• Board Exam Importance: Drawing the micelle and explaining its action.
Disadvantage of Soap: Forms an insoluble precipitate called scum when used in
hard water (water containing $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ ions). This scum hinders
cleaning.
Detergents: Ammonium or Sulphate salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.
• Advantage: Detergents do not form scum with hard water, making them
effective for washing in all types of water.