1

QUICK RECAP
X It cannot gain four electrons to form C4– ion

Carbon and its Compounds

having neon gas (2, 8) con guration because
this anion would be highly unstable due to the
large amount of energy required to overcome
8 Covalent bond : A chemical bond formed the forces of repulsion between the four
between two atoms by mutual sharing electrons being added and the six electrons
of valence electrons, so that each atom already present in carbon atom.
acquires the stable electronic con guration X It cannot lose four electrons to form C4+ ion
of the nearest noble gas, is known as covalent having helium gas (2) con guration because
bond . this cation would be highly unstable due
8 Formation of covalent bonds : to the large amount of energy required to
X Formation of hydrogen molecule : remove four electrons from the carbon atom.
X Carbon overcomes this problem by sharing
its valence electrons with other atoms, i.e., by
forming covalent bonds.
8 Allotropes of carbon : Carbon occurs in
X Formation of chlorine molecule : di erent forms in nature :
X Diamond : Each carbon atom is bonded to
four other carbon atoms, forming a rigid
three-dimensional structure.
X Graphite : In graphite, each carbon atom
is bonded to three other carbon atoms in
X Formation of ammonia molecule : the same plane giving a hexagonal array.
ese hexagonal arrays are placed in layers
one above the other. Graphite is smooth
and slippery and very good conductor of
electricity.
X Fullerenes : Fullerenes are another class of
carbon allotropes. ey are spheroidal in
X Formation of oxygen molecule :
shape and contain even number of carbon
.. .. .. .. atoms ranging from 60-350 or above.
O : + :O
.. O
.. : : O
.. or O O
..
8 Versatile nature of carbon : Carbon is
Two shared
versatile element because it shows following
electron pairs characteristics :
X Formation of nitrogen molecule : X Catenation : e unique property of self-
.. .. .. .. linking of carbon atoms through covalent
: N:. + .: N: N :. :. N or N N bonds to form long straight or branched
chains or rings of di erent sizes is, called
r ee shared catenation. Due to this property, carbon
electron pairs forms a large number of organic compounds.
8 Characteristics of covalent compounds : X Tetra-covalency of carbon : Carbon has a
X Covalently bonded molecules are seen to covalency of four. It is capable of forming
have strong bonds within the molecules, but bonds with four other atoms of carbon or
intermolecular forces are small, resulting the atoms of other monovalent elements. Due
low melting and boiling points. to small size of carbon, these compounds are
X Covalent compounds are generally poor exceptionally stable.
conductors of heat and electricity. X Tendency to form multiple bonds : Due
8 Covalency : e number of electrons to small size of carbon atom, it can form
contributed by each atom for sharing is, multiple bonds with carbon, oxygen, sulphur
known as covalency. and nitrogen atoms.
8 Covalent bonding in carbon : It is di cult for X Isomerism : If a molecular formula
carbon to lose or gain four electrons because represents two or more structures having
of the following reasons : di erent properties, the phenomenon is
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8 Functional group : A functional group
called isomerisms. Isomerism also leads to can be de ned as an atom or a group of
huge number of carbon compounds. atoms present in a molecule which largely
determines its chemical properties.
8 Hydrocarbons : e compounds which
contain only carbon and hydrogen are called
Hetero Name of Formula of
hydrocarbons. ese are categorised as :
X Saturated hydrocarbons : e compounds atom Functional functional
in which carbon atoms are linked together groups group
Cl/Br Halo –Cl, –Br
with only single covalent bonds, are called (chloro/ Substitutes for
saturated hydrocarbons.
bromo) hydrogen atom
Example :
O 1. Hydroxyl —OH
H H H H H
H
H — C — C — H , H — C —C —C —H 2. Aldehydic C
O
H H H H H 3. Ketonic —C—
Ethane Propane
O
H H
4. Carboxylic — C — OH
H—C—C—H
H O
H—C C
H
H 8 Homologous series : A homologous series
C
is de ned as a group of compounds having
H H the same functional group, similar chemical
Cyclopentane properties in which the successive members
Since carbon – carbon single bonds are very di er by a —CH2 group or 14 mass unit.
strong therefore, saturated hydrocarbons X Characteristics of homologous series :
are usually not very reactive. Also, saturated – All compounds in the series can be
hydrocarbons contain the maximum number represented by a general formula. e.g.,
of hydrogen atoms. Saturated hydrocarbons for alcohol it is CnH2n+1OH, for alkane
are called alkanes. CnH2n+2, for alkene C nH2n, and for
X Unsaturated hydrocarbons : e compounds alkynes CnH2n–2, where, n = 1, 2, 3.... .
– Two successive members of homologous
in which one or more double or triple bonds
series di er by —CH2 unit.
are present between carbon atoms are called
n CnH2n+1OH
unsaturated hydrocarbons. Unsaturated
hydrocarbons with double bonds, are called 1 CH3OH
—CH2
alkenes while with triple bonds, are called 2 C2H5OH
—CH2
alkynes. 3 C3H7OH
Examples : 4 C4H9OH —CH2
H H – All compounds in the series have similar
chemical properties.
H—C C — H , H —C C—H
– All members of the series, show a gradual
Ethene Ethyne
change in their physical properties.
– Physical properties generally increase as
the molecular mass increases.
8 Nomenclature of carbon compounds :
Naming a carbon compound can be done by
following rules :
X Select the longest possible chain of carbon
and number them.
X e functional group present in the organic
Unsaturated hydrocarbons are more reactive compound is indicated either by a pre x or
than saturated hydrocarbons. a su x.
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Pre x e word comes before the name O

of the compound. 5 4 3 2 1
CH3 — CH2 — CH 2 — CH 2 — C — OH
Su x e word comes a er the name
Pentanoic acid
of the compound. 8 Chemical properties of carbon compounds :
Functional group Pre x Su x X Combustion : On combustion, all the
allotropic forms of carbon and organic
Chlorine Chloro — compounds are oxidised to carbon dioxide
Bromine Bromo — with release of a large amount of heat and
light. e.g., C + O2 CO2 + heat
Alcohol — ol
CH3CH2OH + 3O2 2CO2 + 3H2O + heat
Aldehyde — al Saturated hydrocarbons burn in excess of
Ketone — one air with a clean blue ame but unsaturated
hydrocarbons burn with yellow ame with
Carboxylic acid — oic acid lots of black smoke.
Double bond — ene X Oxidation : e process in which oxygen
Triple bond — yne is added and hydrogen is removed form a
substance is called oxidation. e substances
X If a su x is to be added, the nal ‘e’ from the which are capable of adding oxygen to other
name of the alkane is omitted. substances are called oxidising agents.
X If the carbon chain is unsaturated, the nal – Oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid :
‘ane’ from the name of the carbon chain is
replaced by either ‘ene’ (if the carbon chain
contains a double bond) or by ‘yne’ (if the
carbon chain contains a triple bond). CH3COOH
Ethanoic acid
X e position of the functional group on the
carbon chain is given by the lowest possible Here, alkaline KMnO4 or acidi ed
numerical pre x. potassium dichromate are oxidising agents.
X Examples : – Oxidation of ethene :
1 2 3 4 3 2 1
CH3CH2CH3 , CH3CH2CH CH2 CH2 — CH 2
Propane 1-Butene
4 3 2 1 OH OH
CH3 — C C — CH3 Ethylene glycol
2-Butyne Here, alkaline KMnO4 is acting as an
1
oxidising agent.
4 3 2
CH3 — CH2 — CH — CH3 X Addition reactions : ose reactions in
which atoms or group of atoms are simply
Cl added to a double or triple bond without
2-Chlorobutane
the elimination of any atom or molecule, are
4 3 2 1 known as addition reactions.
CH3 — CH2 — CH — CH3
OH
2-Butanol
O
4 3 2 1
CH3 — CH2 — CH 2 — C — H
Butanal
O
5 4 3 2 1
CH3 — CH2 — C — CH2 — CH 3
3-Pentanone
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X Substitution reactions : e reactions which – It is used as a solvent for resins, fats, oils,
involve the displacement or substitution of etc.
an atom or a group of atoms in an organic – It is used as an antiseptic to sterilise
compound by another atom or group of wounds and syringes in hospitals.
atoms, are known as substitution reactions. – It is used in the manufacture of dyes,
Saturated hydrocarbons are fairly unreactive drugs and detergents.
and inert in the presence of most of the
Ethanoic Acid
reagents. However, in presence of sunlight,
X It is the second member of the homologous
hydrocarbons undergo rapid substitution
series of carboxylic acid with molecular
reactions. e.g.,
Sunlight formula, CH3COOH. A 5-8% solution of
CH 4 + Cl2 
→ CH3Cl + HCl acetic acid in water is called ‘vinegar’.
Methane Chloromethane
100% acetic acid, obtained by melting glacier
Sunlight
CHCl 3 + Cl2  
→ CCl 4 + HCl like crystals is called glacial acetic acid.
Chloroform Carbontetra X Physical properties :
chloride
– Ethanoic acid is a colourless, pungent
8 Some important carbon compounds :
smelling liquid.
Ethanol – It has melting point of 290 K and boiling
X It is the most important compound of alcohol point of 391 K.
family with molecular formula, C2H5OH. – It is miscible with water in all proportions.
X Physical properties : X Chemical properties :
– Ethanol is a colourless liquid, having – Ethanoic acid is acidic in nature. It turns
pleasant smell.
blue litmus to red. It is weaker acid than
– It has boiling point of 351 K (or 78°C)
hydrochloric acid (HCl).
and freezing point of 156 K (or –114°C).
– Esteri cation reaction : Ethanoic acid
– It is lighter than water.
reacts with ethanol in presence of an acid
– Ethanol is neutral towards litmus.
catalyst to form ester. is reaction is
– It is miscible with water in all proportions.
called esteri cation reaction.
X Chemical properties :
– Reaction with sodium : Ethanol reacts
with sodium resulting in the evolution of
hydrogen gas.
2Na + 2CH3CH2OH
2CH3CH2ONa + H2↑
Sodium ethoxide
– Reaction with conc. sulphuric acid : is ester again in presence of an alkali,
Ethanol reacts with conc. H2SO4 to give give back the alcohol and sodium salt of
corresponding alkene with the removal carboxylic acid. is process is known as
of water molecule. saponi cation. It is used in making soaps.
NaOH
CH3COOC2H5 C2H5OH +
CH3COONa
– Reaction with a base : Ethanoic acid
Conc. sulphuric acid is considered as a reacts with a base such as sodium
dehydrating agent. hydroxide to yield salt and water.
X Uses : CH3COOH + NaOH  → +
– It is used in making beer, wine, whisky Ethanoic acid  CH3COONa + H2O
and other alcoholic drinks.
Sodium
– It is used in making chloroform, iodoform, ethanoate
ether, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, etc. (Salt)
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– Reaction with carbonates and hydrogen 8 Cleansing action of soaps and detergents :
carbonates : Ethanoic acid reacts with Soaps and detergents consist of a large
carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to hydrocarbon tail with a negatively charged
yield a salt, carbon dioxide and water. head. e hydrocarbon tail is hydrophobic
2CH3COOH + Na 2 CO3 
→ (water-hating or water-repelling) and
negatively charged head is hydrophilic
2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 (water-loving).
(Salt)
In aqueous solution, water molecules being
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 
→ polar in nature, surround the ions and not the
CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 hydrocarbon part of the molecule.
Sodium acetate When a soap or detergent is dissolved in
(Salt)
water, the molecules associate together as
X Uses :
clusters called micelles.
– It is used as vinegar in cooking and as
preservative in pickles.
– It is used in manufacture of dyes,
perfumes, plastics, rubber, etc.
– It is used as a solvent in laboratory and
Oily dirt
industry.
– It is used as a laboratory reagent for Micelle formed by detergent molecules in water.
e hydrocarbon tails stick to the oily dirt.
carrying out chemical reactions.
e tails stick inwards and the heads
8 Di erences between soaps and detergents :
outwards.
Soaps Detergents In cleansing, the hydrocarbon tail attaches
These are so dium or ese are ammonium itself to oily dirt. When water is agitated
potassium salts of fatty o r su lp h on ate or (shaken vigorously), the oily dirt tends to li
acids e.g., C15H31COOH sulphate salts of long o from the dirty surface and dissociate into
(palmitic acid), chain hydrocarbons fragments. is gives opportunity to other
C 17 H 35 COOH (stearic c ont ai ni ng 1 2 - 1 8 tails to stick to oil. e solution now contains
acid ) and ole ic ac id carbon atoms. small globules of oil surrounded by detergent
(C17H33COOH) molecules. e negatively charged heads
+ present in water prevent the small globules
These have —COONa These have —NR 4 ,
from coming together and form aggregates.
group. —SO3Na or —SO4Na
us, the oily dirt is removed.
group.
In the past, detergents caused pollution in
These do not work well ese work well with rivers and water bodies. e long carbon
with hard water, acidic hard water, acidic chain present in detergents used earlier,
water and saline water but w at e r an d s a l in e contained lots of branching. ese branched
work well with so water. water. chain detergent molecules were degraded
ese are Some detergents very slowly by the microorganisms present
biodegradable. having branched in sewage discharge, septic tanks and water
hydrocarbon bodies. us, the detergents persisted in
water for long time and made water un t for
chains are non-
aquatic life. Nowadays, the detergents are
biodegradable.
made up of molecules in which branching is
ey take time to dissolve They dissolve faster kept at minimum. ese are degraded more
in water. in water. easily than long branched chain detergents.
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Previous Years’ CBSE

PREVIOUS Board
YEARS MCQS Questions

4.1 Bonding in Carbon - The 8. State the reason why carbon can neither
form C4+ cations nor C4– anions, but forms
Covalent Bond covalent compounds. Also state reasons to
VSA (1 mark) explain why covalent compounds :
(i) are bad conductors of electricity?
1. Why does carbon form compounds mainly
(ii) have low melting and boiling points?
by covalent bonding? (1/5, Delhi 2008)
(Delhi 2014)
2. Why are covalent compounds generally poor
conductors of electricity? (1/3, AI 2008) 4.2 Versatile Nature of Carbon
SA II (3 marks) VSA (1 mark)
3. What are covalent compounds? Why are they
9. Write the molecular formula of rst two
di erent from ionic compounds? List their
members of homologous series having
three characteristic properties. (Delhi 2016)
functional group —Cl. (Delhi 2017)
4. What are covalent bonds? Show their
formation with the help of electron dot 10. Write the molecular formula of rst two
structure of methane. Why are covalent members of homologous series having
compounds generally poor conductors of functional group —OH. (Delhi 2017)
electricity? (Delhi 2013C) 11. Write the molecular formula of the 2nd and
5. Give reasons for the following : 3rd member of the homologous series whose
(i) Element carbon forms compounds rst member is ethene. (AI 2017)
mainly by covalent bonding. 12. Write the molecular formula of the 2nd and
(ii) Diamond has high melting point. 3rd member of the homologous series whose
(iii) Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.
rst member is methane. (AI 2017)
(3/5, Foreign 2011)
13. Write the next homologue of each of the
6. Distinguish between ionic and covalent
compounds under the following properties : following :
(i) Strength of forces between constituent (i) C2H4
elements. (ii) C4H6 (Delhi 2016)
(ii) Solubility of compounds in water. 14. Name the following compounds :
(iii) Electrical conduction in substances. (a) CH3 — CH2 — OH
(AI 2009)
H
LA (5 marks) (b) CH3 C O (Delhi 2016)
7. Elements forming ionic compounds attain 15. Select saturated hydrocarbons from the
noble gas electronic con guration by either following :
gaining or losing electrons from their valence C3H6; C5H10; C4H10; C6H14; C2H4
shells. Explain giving reason why carbon (Delhi 2016)
cannot attain such a con guration in this
manner to form its compounds. Name the 16. Write the name and structure of an alcohol
type of bonds formed in ionic compounds and with three carbon atoms in its molecule.
in the compounds formed by carbon. Also (AI 2016)
explain with reason why carbon compounds 17. Write the name and structure of an alcohol
are generally poor conductors of electricity. with four carbon atoms in its molecule.
(Foreign 2015, AI 2014) (AI 2016)
 7

18. Write the name and structure of an aldehyde 32. Write the name and formula of the rst
with four carbon atoms in its molecule. member of the series of carbon compounds
(AI 2016) O
19. Which element exhibits the property of having functional group OH. C
catenation to maximum extent and why? (Foreign 2012)
(Foreign 2016) 33. Butanone is a four-carbon per molecule
20. Write the name and molecular formula of the compound. Name the functional group
fourth member of alkane series. present in it. (Foreign 2011)
(Foreign 2016) 34. State two characteristic features of carbon
21. What is homologous series of carbon which when put together give rise to a
compounds? (Foreign 2016) number of carbon compounds.
22. Write the name and formula of the (Delhi 2010)
2nd member of homologous series having 35. Write the structural formula of chloroethane.
general formula CnH2n. (Delhi 2015) (Foreign 2010)
23. Write the name and formula of the 36. Give reasons for the following observation:
2nd member of homologous series having e element carbon forms a very large
general formula CnH2n + 2. (Delhi 2015) number of compounds. (1/3, Delhi 2009)
24. Write the name and formula of the 37. Write the names of the functional groups in :
2nd member of homologous series having
general formula CnH2n – 2. (Delhi 2015) (i) (ii)
25. Write the number of covalent bonds in the (1/3, Foreign 2009)
molecule of ethane. (AI 2015, Delhi 2014) 38. Name the following compound :
26. Write the number of covalent bonds in the H
H
molecule of butane, C4H10. (AI 2015)
27. Write the name of each of the following H C C C H
functional groups : H O H (1/3, AI 2008)
(a) — OH (b) C
O SA I (2 marks)
(Foreign 2015, Delhi 2013) 39. State two properties of carbon which lead to a
28. Write the name and molecular formula of very large number of carbon compounds.
the rst member of the homologous series of (2/5, AI 2011, Foreign 2008)
alkynes. (Foreign 2015)
SA II (3 marks)
29. De ne the term functional group. Identify
the functional group present in 40. An aldehyde as well as a ketone can be
O H OH represented by the same molecular formula,
say C3H6O. Write their structures and name
(i) H C H (ii) H C C O them. State the relation between the two in
H the language of science. (AI 2016)
(1/3, Foreign 2013) 41. What is meant by isomers? Draw the
30. Name the functional group present in each of structures of two isomers of butane, C4H10.
the following organic compounds : Explain why we cannot have isomers of rst
(i) C2H5Cl three members of alkane series.
(ii) C2H5OH (Delhi 2012) (Delhi 2015, Foreign 2014)
31. Write the name and formula of the second 42. Write the molecular formula of the following
member of the carbon compounds having compounds and draw their electron-dot
functional group –OH. (AI 2012) structures :
 8

(i) Ethane (ii) Ethene 51. What are hydrocarbons? Distinguish alkanes
(iii) Ethyne (Foreign 2015) from alkenes and each of them from alkynes,
43. What is meant by functional group in carbon giving one example of each. Draw the
compounds? Write in tabular form the structure of each compound cited as example
structural formula and the functional group to justify your answer. (Foreign 2014)
present in the following compounds : 52. (a) De ne the term ‘isomers’.
(i) Ethanol (b) Draw two possible isomers of the
(ii) Ethanoic acid (Foreign 2015) compound with molecular formula
44. Why is homologous series of carbon C3H6O and write their names.
compounds so called? Write the chemical (c) Give the electron dot structures of the
formula of two consecutive members of any above two compounds. (Delhi 2013)
homologous series and state the part of these
53. Explain isomerism. State any four
compounds that determines their (i) physical
and (ii) chemical properties. characteristics of isomers. Draw the structures
(Foreign 2015, Delhi 2013, AI 2014) of possible isomers of butane, C4H10.
(AI 2011)
45. State the meaning of functional group in a
carbon compound. Write the functional group
present in (i) ethanol and (ii) ethanoic acid
and also draw their structures. (Delhi 2014)
46. State the meaning of the functional group
in an organic compound. Write the formula
of the functional group present in alcohols,
aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids.
(Delhi 2014)
47. What is meant by homologous series of carbon
compounds? Write the general formula of
(i) alkenes, and (ii) alkynes. Draw the
structures of the rst member of each series
to show the bonding between the two carbon
atoms. (AI 2014)
48. De ne the term ‘structural isomerism’.
Explain why propane cannot exhibit this
property. Draw the structures of possible
isomers of butane, C4H10. (AI 2014)
49. (a) What is a homologous series of
compounds? List any two of its
characteristics.
(2/5, Delhi 2008, Foreign 2011)
(b) What is the next higher homologue of
C3H7OH? What is its formula and what
is it called? (Foreign 2011)

LA (5 marks)
50. Explain why carbon forms compounds
mainly by covalent bond. Explain in brief
two main reasons for carbon forming a large
number of compounds. Why does carbon
form strong bond with most other elements?
(Delhi 2015)