Carbon and
its
Compound
Bonding in Carbon: The Covalent bond, Electron dot structure,
Physical properties of organic compounds, Allotropes of Carbon.
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.
Types of 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.
Electron Dot Structure: The electron dot structures provides a
picture of bonding in molecules in terms of the shared pairs of
electrons and octet rule.
Formation of Hydrogen Molecule
Atomic number of Hydrogen = 1
Number of valence electrons = 1
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
Compounds M.P. (K) B.P. (K)
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) 290 391
Chloroform (CHCl3) 209 334
Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) 156 351
Methane (CH4) 90 111
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
Physical Properties of Organic Compounds
Most of the organic compounds have low boiling and melting point,
due to the weak force of attraction (i.e., the inter-molecular force of
attraction) between these molecules.
Most carbon compounds are poor conductors of electricity, due to
the absence of free electrons and free ions.
Allotropes of Carbon
Allotropy: The phenomenon in which the element exists in two or
more different physical states with similar chemical properties are
called Allotropy and different forms are called allotropes.
Carbon has Three Main Allotropes
Diamond: In this, carbon, an atom is bonded to four other
atoms of carbon forming three-dimensional structures. It is the
hardest substance and an insulator. It is used for drilling rocks
and cutting. It is also used for making jewellery.
Graphite: In this, each carbon atom is bonded to three other
carbon atoms. It is a good conductor of electricity and used as a
lubricant.
Buckminster Fullerene: It is an allotrope of the carbon-
containing cluster of 60 carbon atoms joined together to form
spherical molecules. It is dark solid at room temperature.
Versatile nature of Carbon, Hydrocarbons, Isomerism, Homologous
series, Functional groups, Nomenclature of functional groups.
Versatile Nature of Carbon: The existence of such a large number of
organic compounds is due to the following nature of carbon,
Catenation
Tetravalent nature.
(i) Catenation: The self linking property of an element mainly carbon
atom through covalent bonds to form long straight, branched and
rings of different sizes are called Catenation.
This property is due to
The small size of the carbon atom.
The great strength of the carbon-carbon bond.
Carbon can also form stable multiple bonds (double or triple) with
itself and with the atoms of other elements.
Straight Chain
Branched Chain
Rings
(ii) Tetravalent Nature: Carbon has valency of four. It is capable of
bonding with four other atoms of carbon or some other heteroatoms
with single covalent bond as well as double or triple bond.
Hydrocarbons: Compounds of carbon and hydrogen are known as
hydrocarbons.
For example; Methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6), Ethene (C2H4), Ethyne
(C2H2) 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.
Electron Dot Structure of Hydrocarbons
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: Series of organic compounds having the same
functional group and chemical properties and successive members
differ by a CH2 unit or 14 mass units are known as Homologous
series.
Homologous series of Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes
Characteristic of Homologous Series
The successive members in homologous series differ by CH2 unit
or 14 mass unit.
Members of given homologous series have the same functional
group.
All the members of homologous series shows similar chemical
properties.
Functional Group: An atom or group of atoms present in a molecule
which largely determines its chemical properties are called
Functional Group.
Nomenclature of Organic Compounds: It is difficult to remember
millions of compounds by their individual common name. Thus, to
systematize the nomenclature of organic compounds IUPAC
(International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) has given certain
rule which is as follows:
1. Identify the Number of Carbon Atoms in the Compound
S. Word Root
Number of Carbon Atoms Single bond
No (-) (Suffix)
1. One carbon atoms (1-C) Meth + ane
2. Two carbon atoms (2-C) Eth + ane
3. Three carbon atoms (3-C) Prop + ane
4. Four carbon atoms (4-C) But + ane
5. Five carbon atoms (5-C) Pent + ane
6. Six carbon atoms (6-C) Hex + ane
S. No. Functional Group Prefix Suffix
1. Double bond (=) — ene
2. Triple bond (≡) — yne
3. Chlorine (—Cl) Chloro —
4. Bromine (—Br) Bromo —
5. Alcohol (-OH) — ol
6. Aldehyde (-CHO) — al
7. Ketone (-CO-) — one
8. Carboxylic acid (-COOH) — oic acid
2. Identify the functional group
3. Name the Compounds By Following Order
Prefix + Word Root + Suffix
Chemical Properties of Carbon Compounds: The important chemical
properties are as follows:
1. Combustion: The complete combustion of carbon compounds in
the air gives carbon dioxide water, heat and light.
CH3CH2OH(l) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(l) + Heat and light
Carbon burns in air or oxygen to give carbon dioxide and heat and
light.
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + Heat and light
Saturated hydrocarbons burn with a blue flame in the presence of a
sufficient supply of air or oxygen.
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) + Heat and light
In presence of limited supply of air, saturated hydrocarbon forms a
sooty flame.
Unsaturated hydrocarbons burn with a yellow smoky flame.
The gas and kerosene stove used at home has inlet for air so that,
burnt to given clean blue flame.
Due to presence of small amount of nitrogen and sulphur, coal and
petroleum produces carbon dioxide with oxides of nitrogen and
sulphur which are major pollutant.
2. Oxidation: Oxidation of ethanol in presence of oxidizing agents
gives ethanoic acid.
Oxidizing Agent: Some substances are capable of adding oxygen to
others, are known as Oxidising Agent.
Example: Alkaline KMnO4 (or KMnO4—KOH)
Acidified K2Cr2O7 (or K2Cr2O7—H2SO4)
KMnO4 – Potassium permanganate
K2Cr2O7 – Potassium dichromate
3. Addition Reaction: Addition of dihydrogen with unsaturated
hydrocarbon in the presence of catalysts such as nickel or platinum or
palladium are known as Hydrogenation (addition) reaction.
