Grade 10

Carbon and Its Compounds

The bonds formed by the sharing of electrons are known as covalent bonds. In
covalent bonding, both the atoms (that are participating in the bonding) share
electrons, i.e., the shared electrons belong to both the atoms.

Carbon contains four electrons in its valence shell. It always forms covalent bonds as
it is difficult for it to lose or gain four electrons in order to complete its octet.

There are three allotropes of carbon: diamond, graphite, and buckminsterfullerene.

Catenation is the ability of an element to combine with itself through covalent

bonds. Carbon shows extensive catenation, giving rise to large number of
compounds. It can form strong single, double, and triple bonds with other atoms of
carbons. Carbon can combine with itself to form chain, branched, and ring
structures.

The compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons. The
compounds of carbon that contain only single bonds among carbon atoms are called
saturated compounds and those containing double and triple bonds among carbon
atoms are called unsaturated compounds. If the hydrocarbons are saturated (like
methane and ethane), then they are called alkanes; if they are unsaturated, then they
are alkenes (containing double bonds) and alkynes (containing triple bonds).

Carbon also forms covalent bonds with oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur atoms.
Presence of any of these elements in a compound confers specific properties to the
compound. A group of atoms that imparts specific properties to hydrocarbons is
called a functional group. A homologous series is a series of carbon compounds
having different numbers of carbon atoms, but containing the same functional
group. Some functional groups in carbon compounds are shown in the given table.
 Hetero atom Name of functional Formula of functional
group group
Chlorine/Bromine Halo- (Chloro/Bromo) –Cl, –Br
Alcohol –OH
Aldehyde –CHO
Oxygen
Ketone >C=O
Carboxylic acid –COOH

The nomenclature of organic compounds is done by using a set of rules. Names of

some common compounds are shown in the given table.
Functional group Prefix/Suffix Example

1. Halogen Prefix: chloro, bromo, etc.

2. Alcohol Suffix: -ol

3. Aldehyde Suffix: -al

4. Ketone Suffix: -one

5. Carboxylic acid Suffix: -oic acid

6. Double bond (alkenes) Suffix: -ene

7. Triple bond (alkynes) Suffix: -yne

Chemical properties of carbon compounds

o Combustion reaction:
Carbon burns in air to form carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons burn in air to
give carbon dioxide and water. Heat and light are also released in these
processes.
C+O 2 CO 2

CH 4 + O 2 CO 2 +H 2O + Heat and light

CH 3CH 2OH + O 2 CO 2 + H 2O + Heat and light

o Oxidation reaction:
Combustion of carbon to form carbon dioxide is an oxidation reaction.
When alcohols are oxidised, carboxylic acids are obtained.
Alkaline KMnO4
CH3CH2OH Heat
CH3COOH
o Addition reaction:
Unsaturated hydrocarbons yield saturated hydrocarbons when reacted with
hydrogen in the presence of catalysts.
Nickel catalyst
RCH = CHR H2
RCH 2 CH 2 R
o Substitution reaction:
Under specific conditions, hydrogen atoms present in hydrocarbons can be
replaced by atoms of other elements like chlorine and bromine.
in presence of sunlight
CH 4 + Cl2 CH3Cl + HCl

Ethanol (alcohol), CH3CH2OH:

o Liquid at room temperature
o It is a good solvent
o Soluble in water in all proportions
Chemical properties of ethanol
2 Na + 2 CH 3CH 2OH 2 CH 3CH 2O - Na + + H 2
o
Sodium ethoxide
Hot conc.
CH 3CH 2OH CH 2 = CH 2 + H 2O
o H 2SO 4

Ethene
 Ethanoic acid (acetic acid), CH3COOH:
o Its melting point is 290 K
o 5-8% solution of acetic acid is known as Vinegar
o It is a weak acid
Chemical properties of ethanoic acid
Esterification reaction :
Acid
CH 3CH 2OH + CH 3COOH CH 3COOCH 2CH 3
o
Ethanol Ethanoic acid Ester
The reaction reverses itself in the presence of a base.
CH 3COOH + NaOH CH 3COONa + H 2O
o
Sodium ethanoate
2 CH3COOH + Na 2CO3 2 CH 3COONa + H 2O + CO 2
Sodium ethanoate
o
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 CH 3COONa + H 2O + CO 2
Sodium ethanoate

The two ends of molecules of soaps and detergents are different. Their one end is
hydrophilic and the other is hydrophobic. Presence of these two types of ends is
responsible for the cleansing action of soaps.

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