LECTURE 8: BONDING OF CARBON WITH

ITSELF: ALLOTROPY
Allotropy is a behavior exhibited by certain
chemical elements: these elements can exist in two
or more different forms, known as allotropes of
that element. When an element exists in more than
one crystalline form, those forms are called
allotropes. In each different allotrope, the
element’s atoms are bonded together is different
manner. Allotropes are different structural
modifications of an element. Carbon is an element
that exhibits allotropy. Some of its allotropes are
shown below:
The physical properties of this element vary
according to its allotropes. The two major

allotropes are diamond and graphite. These two

have almost opposing physical properties.
DIAMOND VS GRAPHITE
  Diamond is transparent and has no color,
graphite is opaque and black.
 Diamond is the hardest substance known to
man, graphite is soft and spongy in texture.
 Diamond cannot conduct electricity at all,
graphite is a very good conductor of electricity.
 Both allotropic elements are solid, non-
gaseous.
 Both are insoluble in water.
STRAIGHT CHAIN ALKANES
The general formula for an alkane is C H , n 2 n +2

where n is the number of carbon atoms in the

molecule. See below for the table that gives the
names of the straight chain alkanes.