Carbon : An Important Element

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In this Chapter we will be studying about some more interesting

compounds of carbon and their properties. Carbon is the sixth most abundant
element in the universe. It can exist in the free state or in the form of its
compounds. It is the major chemical constituent of most organic matter. Carbon is
the second most common element in the
human body after oxygen. Carbon is present
in coal, oil and natural gas.

Carbon and its Properties

You have studied already that carbon
is a non-metallic element belongs to Group
14 of the periodic table. You have also learnt
about its occurrence in nature in the form of
some compounds. The name carbon’ is
derived from the Latin word ‘carbo’ meaning
coal.
Free state carbon
• Diamond
• Graphite
Combined state carbon
• As carbon dioxide and in the form of carbonates such as calcium carbonate, marble, calamine
(ZnCO3)
• Fossil fuel – coal, petroleum, natural gas
• Carbonaceous nutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, fats
• Natural fibers – cotton, wool, silk

In the structure of a carbon atom, there are 4 electrons in the

second shell. The electronic configuration of carbon is 2, 4. To complete
its octet, carbon requires four more electrons. But due to unfavorable
energy considerations, it cannot gain four electrons by ion formation
and hence attain the electronic configuration of neon. Due to the same
reason, it is also not possible for carbon to lose these four electrons
and attain the noble gas configuration of helium. However, it can form
covalent bonds by sharing these four electrons.
It can form four covalent bonds, i.e. it is tetravalent in nature. The sharing of four more electrons
from other atoms completes the octet of carbon atom and it attains the stability by forming four
covalent bonds.
Carbon can form bonds with atoms of other elements such as hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen
(O), sulphur (S) and halogens etc. It
also has the property of self
combination i.e. bond formation with
the other carbon atoms. Thus, carbon
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can form long chains of carbon atoms.

This unique property of forming long
chains is known as catenation.

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Allotropes of Carbon
Allotropes are different forms of the same element in the same physical state.
Diamond
Diamond is a crystalline solid; each carbon atom is
linked to four other carbon atoms by covalent bonds in a
tetrahedral fashion show in the figure.
Properties
• Diamonds are basically colourless. However, some
impurities impart colour to them.
• Brilliant and pure diamond is the hardest natural
substance.
• The density of diamond is 3.5 g/cm3.
• The melting point of diamond is 35000 C
• When diamond is heated at 8000 C in the presence of
oxygen CO2 is given away. In this process no other
product besides CO2 is formed.
• Diamond does not dissolve in any solvent.
• Acids and bases have no effect on diamond.
• Diamond is a bad conductor of electricity as it does not have free electrons.
Uses
• Diamonds are used in glass cutting and rock drilling machines.
• Diamonds are used in ornaments.
• Diamond knives are used in the eye surgery.
• Diamond dust is used for polishing other diamonds.
• Diamond is used to make windows giving protection from radiation in space and in artificial
satellites.

Graphite
Graphite is soft, black, brittle and slippery crystalline solid. Every carbon atom in graphite is
bonded to three other carbon atoms in such a way that a hexagonal layered structure is formed. A
graphite crystal is made of many sheets or layers of carbon atoms. These layers slip over each other
on applying pressure. One layer of graphite is called graphene.
Properties
• Graphite found in nature is black, soft, brittle and
slippery.
• Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. [Inside
each layer of graphite, free electrons move
continuously within the entire layer]
• Due to the layered structure graphite can be used
for writing on paper.
• The density of graphite is 1.9 to 2.3 g/cm3.
• Graphite does not dissolve in most solvents.
[Dissolve in molten nickel and warm chlorosulfuric
acid (HSO3Cl)]
Uses
• Graphite is used for making lubricants.
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• Graphite is used for making carbon electrodes.

• Graphite is used in pencils for writing.
• Graphite is used in paints and polish.
• Graphite is used in arc lamps which give a very bright light.
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Fullerene [Buckyball and Buckytube]
Fullerenes are formed when vaporized carbon
condenses in an atmosphere of an inert gas. Fullerenes were
discovered in 1985 by Robert F. Curl, Harold W. Kroto and
Richard E. Smalley. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in
Chemistry in 1996 for this discovery. Fullerenes have closed
structures like a football. A typical fullerene, named as buckminsterfullerene has 60 carbon atoms.
C60 , C70 , C76 , C82 and C86 are other examples of fullerene.
Properties
• Molecules of fullerenes are found in the form of buckyballs and buckytubes.
• There are 30 to 900 carbon atoms in one molecule of a fullerene.
• Fullerenes are soluble in organic solvents such as carbon disulphide, chlorobenzene.
Uses
• Fullerenes are used as insulators.
• Fullerenes are used as a catalyst in water purification.
• At a certain temperature fullerene exhibits superconductivity.

In addition to the above three allotropic forms, carbon also exists in three microcrystalline or
amorphous forms of graphite. They are coal, charcoal and coke.
Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel. It contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It also contains nitrogen, phosphorus
and sulphur. It is of four types.
• Peat
Formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. It contains a high proportion of
water and less than 60% of carbon.
• Lignite
Lignite is the second step of the formation of coal. Peat was transformed into lignite due to
increased pressure and temperature inside the earth. It contains 60 to 70% of carbon.
• Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal was formed as the third step of formation of coal. It contains 70 to 90% of
carbon.
• Anthracite
Anthracite is known as the pure form of coal. This coal is hard and contains about 95% of
carbon.
Uses
Coal is used to obtain coke, coal gas and coal tar. Coal is used in thermal power plants for generation
of electricity and used as fuel in factories and homes.

Charcoal
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon. The charcoal that is made from animals is made from
their bones, horns, etc. On the other hand, the charcoal made from plants is formed by combustion of
wood in an insufficient supply of air.
Uses
Charcoal is used as metallurgical fuel. Charcoal has high surface area hence charcoal used as
filter and catalyst.
Coke
The pure coal that remains when coal gas has been taken away from coal [residue from
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roasting coal] is called coke.

Uses
Coke is used as domestic fuel, reducing agent and used in production of water gas and producer gas
(CO+H2+CO2+N2). [ mixture of flammable (CO+H2) and nonflammable gases(CO2+N2)]
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Compounds of Carbon

The compounds of carbon can be classified as organic and inorganic compounds.

Organic compound, any of a large class of chemical compounds in which one or more atoms of
carbon are covalently linked to atoms of other elements, most commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or
nitrogen. The few carbon-containing compounds not classified as organic include carbides,
carbonates, and cyanides. The organic compounds are obtained from natural sources such as plants
and animals, coal and petroleum. Plants and animals are sources of complex organic compounds such
as carbohydrates, starch, oils, proteins, drugs etc. Organic compounds are generally low melting solids
or liquids. They dissolve in organic solvents such as benzene, alcohol, chloroform etc. but are
generally insoluble in water. The inorganic compounds are generally solids which have high melting
and boiling points. They generally dissolve in water but are insoluble in organic solvents.

Inorganic compounds, any substance in which two or more chemical elements (usually other
than carbon) are combined, nearly always in definite proportions. For example, limestone, marble and
dolomite contain carbon as carbonates. The other inorganic compounds are carbides of metal (e.g.
CaC2, calcium carbide), HCN, CS2 and oxides of carbon such as CO2 and CO.
After having a general idea about the nature of compounds, let us now study the oxides of carbon.

Oxides of Carbon
The two important oxides of carbon are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Molecular Formula : CO
Molecular Mass : 28 µ
State : Gas
Colour : Colourless
Odour : Odourless
Melting Point : –199°C
Boiling Point : –192°C

Carbon monoxide is formed when carbon or hydrocarbons are burned in a limited supply of
oxygen.
2C + O2 → 2 CO

Uses
• It is used as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes to reduce metal oxides.
• In the presence of a catalyst, it can combine with hydrogen to give methanol (CH3OH).
• It forms carbonyl compounds.
• It is used as a fuel.
• It is used in the synthesis of several organic compounds.

It is a major air pollutant and is released in large quantities from automobile engines. Its low level
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poisoning causes headache and drowsiness whereas its large amounts can cause even death. It is toxic
because it reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood by binding with heamoglobin, the red
pigment of blood.

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Carbon dioxide
Molecular Formula : CO2
Molecular Mass : 44 µ
State : Gas
Colour : Colourless
Odour : Odourless
Melting Point : –56.6° C
Boiling Point : –78.5° C

Carbon dioxide is formed when carbon containing substances are burnt in excess of oxygen.
C + O2 → CO2
Methane burns completely.
CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O + Heat
It is also produced by heating of carbonates.
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
Uses
• Solid carbon dioxide also called dry ice is used as a refrigerant because when it is cooled at
atmospheric pressure, it condenses into a solid rather than as a liquid. This solid sublime at
–78.5°C.
• Plants use CO2 in air for photosynthesis.
• It is used in the production of carbonated drinks.
• It is used in the production of washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O) and baking soda (NaHCO3).
2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O
Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 → 2NaHCO3
• It is also used for getting special effects of a mist in dramas and movies.
• CO2 obtained by chemical reaction or kept under pressure is used in fire extinguishers.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher contains sodium bicarbonate powder. There is also dilute sulphuric acid
placed in a glass capsule. The capsule breaks on pressing the knob, the sulphuric acid comes in contact
with the sodium bicarbonate and the two react chemically to release CO2 which comes out.
2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O + 2 CO2 ↑

Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are compounds
which contain only carbon and hydrogen.
Hydrocarbons can be divided into various
classes as show in chart.
The aliphatic hydrocarbons can be
divided into two categories : saturated
hydrocarbons and unsaturated
hydrocarbons.
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Saturated hydrocarbons
In saturated hydrocarbons, carbon atoms
are linked to each other by single bonds.

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Alkanes
The general formula of alkanes is CnH2n+2 where n is the number of carbon atoms in the alkane
molecule. First ten alkanes corresponding to n = 1 to n = 10 are given in table.

No. of Carbon Atoms Molecular Formula Name

1 CH4 Methane
2 C2H6 Ethane
3 C3H8 Propane
4 C4H10 Butane
5 C5H12 Pentane
6 C6H14 Hexane
7 C7H16 Heptane
8 C8H18 Octane
9 C9H20 Nonane
10 C10H22 Decane

Methane (CH4)
When a carbon atom shares one electron each with four hydrogen atoms and form four C-H
covalent bonds, a methane (CH4) covalent compound is formed.

Properties of Covalent Compounds

• Covalent compounds have low melting points and boiling points.
• Generally they are insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents.
• They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Properties of Methane [ Marsh gas / Natural gas / Carbon tetrahydride / Hydrogen carbide ]

Molecular formula : CH4

Molecular mass : 16 µ
State : Gas
Colour : Colourless
Odour : Odourless
Melting point : -182.5° C
Boiling point : -161.5° C

Uses
• Methane is used in industries such as fabric mills, paper mills, food processing industry, petrol
purification.
• Methane is a smallest hydrocarbon, the proportion of CO2 released in the combustion of
methane is small hence, it is used as a domestic fuel.
CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2+ 2 H2O + heat
• Methane is used for production of organic compounds such as ethanol, methyl chloride,
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methylene chloride and acetylene.

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Biogas Plant
Biogas is a very cheap fuel option which meets the demand for cooking gas. Biogas contains
about 55% to 60% methane and the rest is carbon dioxide. Animal dung, dry leaves, wet garbage get
decomposed by anaerobic microbes in a biogas plant. This produces methane gas also called biogas.
Biogas is a fuel which is suitable to use and gives manure is also produced as a side product of the
process.

Biogas Production Process

Production of biogas is an anaerobic process. It takes place in two stages.
I. Production of acids
The microbes act on the biodegradable complex organic compound and produce organic acids.
II. Methane gas production
The methanogenic bacteria act on the organic acids to produce methane gas.
CH3COOH → CH4 + CO2 ↑

Ethane (C2H6)
Carbon atom is further linked to another carbon atom, we get another alkane,
namely ethane (C2H6).

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
In unsaturated hydrocarbons, multiple bond (double and triple bonds) are present between
carbon atoms.

Alkene
Unsaturated hydrocarbons having carbon-carbon double bonds (— C = C —) are called
alkenes. The general formula is CnH2n where, n represents the number of carbon atoms in the alkene
molecule.

No. of Carbon Atoms Molecular Formula Name

2 Ethene C2H4
3 Propene C3H6
4 Butene C4H8
5 Pentene C5H10

Alkyne
Those unsaturated hydrocarbons having carbon – carbon triple bonds (— C ≡ C —) are known
as alkynes. The general formula of alkynes is CnH2n-2 where, n is the number of carbon atoms in the
alkyne molecule.
No. of Carbon Atoms Molecular Formula Name
2 Ethyne C2H2
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3 Propyne C3H4
4 Butyne C4H6
5 Pentyne C5H8

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 ______________________________________________________
KUSHAL KHOLGADE
- 9021762036
- 9049449404
kushalkholgade@rediffmail.com
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Measurement of Matter : 9th Class
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