CARBON AND ITS COMPOUNDS-1

Versatile nature of carbon:

Carbon forms large number of compounds due to the following reasons:

1. Catenation: It is the unique self-linking property of carbon atoms through strong covalent bonds
to form long straight or branched chains and rings of different sizes.

Other than carbon atom, silicon also shows catenation but to a lesser extent.Catenation property is
greater in carbon than silicon due to the fact that carbon-carbon bonds are much stronger than
silicon-silicon bonds.

2.Tetravalent nature of carbon: Carbon has valency of four,hence is capable of bonding with other
atoms of carbon as well as oxygen,hydrogen,nitrogen,sulphur and halogens.

Due to its small size,the nucleus of carbon atom can hold its shared pair of electrons more
strongly.Thus the compounds formed by carbon are exceptionally stable.

Carbon also forms multiple bonds with other carbon atoms,oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen.

3. Isomerism:Another reason for huge number of carbon compounds is the phenomenon of

isomerism.

Compounds represented by the same molecular formula but different structures having different
properties are called isomers and the phenomenon is known as isomerism.

Saturated and unsaturated carbon compounds:

Hydrocarbons are the compounds of carbon and hydrogen.They are classified as saturated and
unsaturated carbon compounds depending on the type of carbon – carbon bonding.

Saturated Hydrocarbon Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

1. Compounds of carbon which have single
covalent bonds between the carbon atoms are
called saturated compounds.
2. These compounds are less reactive.
3. These compounds undergo substitution
reactions.
4. These compounds burn with a blue flame.
Eg. Methane, ethane.
1. Compounds of carbon which have double or
triple covalent bonds between the carbon atoms
are called unsaturated compounds.
2. These compounds are more reactive.
3. These compounds undergo addition reactions.
4. These compounds burn with a yellow flame.
Eg. Ethene , ethyne.