●VERSATILE NATURE OF

CARBON
Formation of a very large number of
carbon compounds:
Carbon forms a very large number of
compounds.
The number of carbon compounds is more than
three million. It is more than the number of
compounds formed by all other elements.
Occurrence of carbon :-
i) Carbon is found in the atmosphere, inside the earth’s crust and in
all living organisms.
ii) Carbon is present in fuels like wood, coal, charcoal, coke, petroleum,
natural gas, biogas, marsh gas etc.
iii) Carbon is present in compounds like carbonates,
hydrogen carbonates etc.
iv) Carbon is found in the free state as diamond, graphite, fullerenes etc.
Why Carbon?
The atomic number of carbon is 6, its electronic arrangement is 2,4, it
has 4 valence electrons. It can attain stability by gaining 4 electrons,
losing 4 electrons or sharing 4 electrons with other atoms.
It does not gain 4 electrons because it is difficult for the 6 protons to
hold 10 electrons.
It does not lose 4 electrons because it needs a large amount of
energy to lose 4 electrons.
So it shares 4 electrons with other atoms to attain stability resulting in
the formation of covalent bonds.
Since carbon atom needs 4 electrons to attain stability, its valency is 4
and it is tetravalent.

X I
_ _
C C
X X

X
I
 Uniqueness of Carbon
• Tetra valency
• Catenation
• Polymerisation
• Isomerism
Tetra valency - Formation of covalent bonds :-
Covalent bond is chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons
between atoms.
The sharing of one pair of electrons results in the formation of single
covalent bond, sharing of two pairs of electrons results in the formation
of double covalent bond and sharing of three pairs of electrons results
in the formation of triple covalent bond.
Eg :- Formation of single covalent bond in Hydrogen
molecule - H2
The atomic number of hydrogen is 1, its electronic arrangement is 1, it
has 1 valence electron. It needs 1 electron more to attain stability. So
two hydrogen atoms share 1 pair of electrons resulting in the formation
of a single covalent bond in hydrogen molecule H 2.

Hx + x H H XX H H–H H2
Formation of double covalent bond in oxygen molecule - O2
The atomic number of oxygen is 8, its EC is 2,6, it has 6 VE, it needs 2
electrons more to attain stability. So two oxygen atoms share two
pairs of electrons resulting in the formation of a double covalent bond
in oxygen molecule O2
X X XX XX XX
X X XX
X X XX
XX XX XX XX
O + O O O O=O O2

Formation of triple covalent bond in Nitrogen molecule - N2

The atomic number of nitrogen is 7, its EC is 2,5, it has 5 VE, it needs
3 electrons more to attain stability. So two nitrogen atoms share three
pairs of electrons resulting in the formation of a triple covalent bond in
nitrogen molecule N2
X X X X
X X XX
X X XX
X X X XX
X X X

N + N N N NΞN N2
Electron dot structures (Lewis dot structure) :-

Methane molecule – CH4 Ethane molecule – C2H6

H
X
H
X
H
X

X
X X X X
X
X X X

H C H H C C H

H H H

H H H
I I I
Catenation:
Carbon forms a very large number of compounds. The number of
carbon compounds is more than three million. It is more than the
number of compounds formed by all other elements. This is because :-
i) Carbon atom can form bonds with other carbon atoms to form long
chains, branched chains and closed rings. This property is called
catenation.
ii) Since the valency of carbon is 4, it can form bonds with other
carbon atoms or with atoms of other elements like hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, halogens etc.
I
_ C_
I I I I I I I I I I C
_ C–C–C–C–C–C_ _ C–C–C–C _ C C
I I I I I I I I I I C C
_ C _ C
I
Long chain Branched chain Closed ring
Polymerization:

• Polymerization is defined as the chemical

process in which the monomers are joined
together to form polymers.
• Normally, it takes several thousands of
monomers to make a single polymer.

Ethane polymerization
Isomerism:
 Isomerism is the phenomenon in which more than one
compounds have the same chemical formula but
different chemical structures.
 Chemical compounds that have identical chemical
formulae but differ in properties and the arrangement
of atoms in the molecule are called isomers.
Therefore, the compounds that exhibit isomerism are
known as isomers.
Eg:- Butane – C4H10 has 2 isomers. They are Normal butane and Iso butane.
H H H H H H H
I I I I I I I
H–C–C–C–C–H H–C–C–C–H Iso butane
I I I I I I
H H H H H H
H– C –H
Normal butane I
H
Pentane – C5H12 has 3 isomers. They are Normal pentane, Iso pentane and Neo
pentane. Neo pentane
Iso pentane H
H I
I H– C–H

Normal pentane H–C–H H H

I I
H H H H H H H H H–C– C– C–H
I I I I I I I I I I
H–C–C–C–C–C–H H–C–C–C–C–H H H
I I I I I I I I I H–C–H
H H H H H H H H H I
H
Allotropes of Carbon:
 Diamond
 Graphite
 Fullerene

Structures of diamond, graphite and fullerene

Diamond:
It is the purest crystalline allotrope of carbon. It has a number of
carbons linked together tetrahedrally. Each tetrahedral unit
consists of carbon bonded to four carbon atoms which are in turn
bonded to other carbons. This gives rise to an allotrope of carbon
having a three-dimensional arrangement of C-atoms.
• This allotrope of carbon is a poor electrical conductor and an excellent
thermal conductor.
Graphite:
It is a pure form of carbon. This allotrope of carbon is composed
of flat two-dimensional layers of carbon atoms, which are
arranged hexagonally. It is a soft, black and slippery solid. This
property of graphite persists because it cleaves easily between
the layers.
In each layer, each C atom is linked to three C atoms via a C-C
covalent bond. Graphite electrons are mobile and can conduct
electricity.
Fullerene:
• Fullerene is a hollow cage which exists in the form of
sphere. It resembles the structure of fullerene.
• But along with hexagonal rings, sometimes
pentagonal or heptagonal rings are also present.
Hydrocarbons, Saturated and Unsaturated hydrocarbons :-
i) Hydrocarbons :- are compounds containing carbon and hydrogen
atoms.

ii) Saturated hydrocarbons :- are hydrocarbons having all single

covalent bonds between the carbon atoms.
Eg : Alkanes :- have all single covalent bonds between the carbon
atoms and their names end with – ane.

H
I
Methane – CH4 H–C–H
I
H

H H
I I
Ethane – C2H6 H–C–C–H
I I
H H
iii) Unsaturated hydrocarbons :- are hydrocarbons having a double or
triple covalent bond between two carbon atoms. Eg : Alkenes and
Alkynes.
Alkenes :- have a double covalent bond between two carbon atoms.
and their names end with – ene.
H H H H
I I I I
Ethene - C2H4 C=C Propene – C 3H6 H–C=C– C–H

I I I I
H H H H
Alkynes :- have a triple covalent bond between two carbon atoms
and their names end with – yne.

Ethyne – Ethyne – C2H2 H–CΞC–H

H
I
Propyne - C3H4 H–C ΞC–C–H
I
H
Functional groups :-
An atom or a group of atoms which decides the properties of a
carbon compound is called a functional group.
i) Halide ( Halo group) :- - Cl, - Br, etc. ( Names end with – ane )
Eg :- CH3Cl – Chloro methane, C2H5Br – Bromo ethane

ii) Alcohol :- - OH ( Names end with – ol )

Eg :- CH3OH – Methanol, C2H5OH – Ethanol

H
iii) Aldehyde :- - CHO -C ( Names end with – al )
O
Eg :- HCHO – Methanal, CH3CHO – Ethanal
O

II
iv) Carboxylic acid :- - COOH - C - OH (Names end with – oic
acid )
Eg :- HCOOH – Methanoic acid, CH3COOH – Ethanoic acid
v) Ketone :- - CO - C - (Names end with – one )
II
O
Homologus series :-
Homologus series is a group of carbon compounds having similar
structures, similar chemical properties and whose successive members
differ by a – CH2 group. Eg :- Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes etc.
Alkanes :- have general molecular formula CnH2n+2 . Their names end
with – ane and the members are as follows :-
Methane - CH4
Ethane - C2H6
Propane - C3H8
Butane - C4H10
Pentane - C5H12
H
I
Methane :– CH4 H – C – H
I
H

H H H H H
I I I I I
Ethane :– C2H6 H–C–C–H Propane – C3H8 H–C–C–C–H
I I I I I
H H H H H
Alkenes :-
Alkenes have general molecular formula CnH2n . Their names end
with – ene and the members are as follows :-
Ethene - C2H4
Propene - C3H6
Butene - C4H8
Pentene - C5H10

H H
I I
Ethene :- C2H4 C=C
I I
H H

H H H H H H H
I I I I I I I
Propene :- C3H6 H–C=C–C–H Butene :- C4H8 H – C = C – C – C – H
I I I
H H H
 Alkynes :-
Alkynes have general molecular formula CnH 2n – 2 .Their names end
with – yne and the members are as follows :-
Ethyne - C 2H2
Propyne - C 3H4
Butyne - C 4H6

Ethyne :- C2H2 H–C C–H

H
I
Propyne :- C3H4 H–C C–C–H
I
H
H H
I I
Butyne :- C4H6 H – C C–C–C–H
Rules for IUPAC nomenclature:

 Locate the longest carbon chain in our compound.

 Name that parent chain (find the root word)
 Figure out the ending.
 Number your carbon atoms.
 Name the side groups.
 Put the side groups in alphabetical order.
Examples:
Chemical properties of Carbon compounds :-
a) Combustion :-
Carbon compounds burn in oxygen to form water, carbon dioxide,
heat and light.
Eg :- C + O2 CO2 + heat + light
CH4 + 2O2 2H2O + CO2 + heat + light
C2H5OH + 3O2 3H2O + 2CO2 heat + light

b) Oxidation :-
Carbon compounds like alcohols are oxidised to carboxylic acids on
heating with oxidising agents like alkaline Potassium permanganate
– KMnO4 or acidic potassium dichromate - K2Cr2O7 .
Eg:- Alcohols are oxidised to Carboxylic acids
alkaline KMnO4 + heat
C2H5OH CH3COOH
Ethanol acidic K2Cr2O7 + heat Ethanoic acid
c) Addition reaction :-
Unsaturated hydrocarbons undergo addition reaction with hydrogen in the
presence of nickel or palladium as catalyst to form saturated hydrocarbons.
Eg:- Ethene undergoes addition reaction with hydrogen to form ethane in the
presence of nickel or palladium as catalyst.
Ni or Pd catalyst
C2H4 + H2 C 2H6
H H H H
I I Ni or Pd catalyst I I
C = C + H2 H–C–C–H
I I I I
H H H H
The addition of hydrogen to unsaturated hydrocarbons to form saturated
hydrocarbons is called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is used to convert
unsaturated oils and fats to saturated oils and fats.
d) Substitution reaction :-
Saturated hydrocarbons undergo substitution reaction with halogens to
form substitution products.
Eg :- Methane undergoes substitution reaction with chlorine in the presence
of sunlight to form substitution products.
CH4 + Cl2 CH3Cl + HCl CH3Cl + Cl2 CH2Cl2 + HCl
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 CHCI3 + HCl CHCI3 + Cl2 CCl4 + HCl
Some important carbon compounds :-
a) ETHANOL :- C2H5OH - Ethyl alcohol
Properties :-
i) Ethanol is a colourless liquid with a pleasant smell and burning
taste.
ii) It is soluble in water.
iii) Ethanol reacts with sodium to form sodium ethoxide and hydrogen.
2C2H5OH + 2Na 2C2H5ONa + H2
iv) Ethanol reacts with hot conc. H2SO4 to form ethene and water. Conc.
H2SO4 is a dehydrating agent and removes water from ethanol.
conc. H2SO4
C2H5OH C 2H 4 + H 2O
Uses :-
i) Ethanol is used for making alcoholic drinks.
ii) It is used as a solvent.
iii) It is used for making medicines like tincture iodine, cough syrups,
tonics etc.
b) ETHANOIC ACID :- CH3COOH – Acetic acid
Properties :-
i) Ethanoic acid is a colourless liquid with a pungent smell and sour taste.
ii) It is soluble in water.
iii) A solution of 5% to 8% ethanoic acid in water is called Vinegar.
iv) Esterification :-
Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol to form the ester ethyl ethanoate in the presence
of conc. H2SO4.
conc.H2SO4
CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH 3COOC2H5 + H2O
The reaction between carboxylic acid and alcohol to form an ester is called
esterification.
v) Saponification :-
When an ester reacts with sodium hydroxide solution, the sodium salt of the
carboxylic acid and the parent alcohol are formed. This reaction is called
saponification.
Eg :-Ethyl ethanoate reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium acetate and ethanol.
CH3COOC2H5 + NaOH CH 3COONa + C2H5OH
vi) Ethanoic acid reacts with bases to form salt and water.
CH3COOH + NaOH CH 3COONa + H2O
vii) Ethanoic acid reacts with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to form salt, water
and carbon dioxide.
2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 2CH 3COONa + H2O + CO2
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 CH 3COONa + H2O + CO2
Soaps and detergents :-
a) Soaps :- Soaps are long chain sodium or potassium salts of carboxylic
acids. Eg:- Sodium stearate – C17H35COONa
Structure of soap molecule :- A soap molecule has two parts. A long
hydrocarbon part which is hydrophobic (water repelling) and soluble in oil and
grease and a short ionic part which is hydrophyllic (water attracting) and
insoluble in oil and grease.
+
COO Na

Hydrocarbon part Ionic part

(Water repelling) (Water attracting)
Cleansing action of soap :- When soap is dissolved in water it forms
spherical structures called micelles. In each micelle the soap molecules are
arranged radially such that the HC part is towards the centre and the ionic part
is towards the outside. The HC part dissolves the dirt, oil and grease and forms
an emulsion at the centre of the micelles which can be washed away by water.
b) Detergents :-
Detergents are long chain sodium salts of sulphonic acids.
Soaps do not wash well with hard water because it forms insoluble
precipitates of calcium and magnesium salts in hard water.
Detergents wash well with hard water because it does not form insoluble
precipitates of calcium and magnesium salts in hard water.

c) Differences between soaps and detergents :-

Soaps Detergents

i) Soaps are sodium salts of Detergents are sodium salts of

fatty acids. sulphonic acids.
ii) Soaps clean well in soft water but Detergents clean well with both
do not clean well in hard water. hard and soft water.
iii) Soaps do not clean as well as Detergents clean better than soaps.
detergents.
iv) Soaps are biodegradable and Some detergents are non biodegradable
do not cause pollution. and cause pollution.