CARBON

Carbon (from Latin: carbo "coal") is a

chemical element with symbol C and
atomic number 6.
On the periodic table, it is the first (row 2)
of six elements in column (group) 14.
It has four electrons in its outermost orbit,
so its valency is four.
Carbon is a non-metal.
Carbon is the 15th most abundant element
in the Earth's crust, and the fourth most
abundant element in the universe by mass
after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen.
 Electron configuration of carbon

only two unpaired

2p
electrons

should form s
bonds to only two
hydrogen atoms
bonds should be
2s at right angles to
one another
 Orbital Hybridization

The mixing of atomic orbitals to form special orbitals

for bonding.

The atoms are responding as needed to

give the minimum energy for the molecule.
 sp3 Orbital Hybridization

2p

Promote an electron from the 2s

to the 2p orbital

2s
 sp3 Orbital Hybridization

2p 2p

2s 2s
 sp3 Orbital Hybridization

2p

Mix together (hybridize) the 2s

orbital and the three 2p orbitals

2s
 sp3 Orbital Hybridization

2p

2 sp3

4 equivalent half-filled
orbitals are consistent
with four bonds and
2s
tetrahedral geometry
 Shapes of orbitals

s
 Nodal properties of orbitals

p +

+
s
 Shape of sp3 hybrid orbitals

p +

take the s orbital and place it on

top of the p orbital
+
s
 Shape of sp3 hybrid orbitals

s+p + +

reinforcement of electron wave in regions

where sign is the same
destructive interference in regions of
opposite sign
 Shape of sp3 hybrid orbitals

sp hybrid +

orbital shown is sp hybrid

analogous procedure using three s orbitals
and one p orbital gives sp3 hybrid
shape of sp3 hybrid is similar
 Shape of sp3 hybrid orbitals

sp hybrid +

hybrid orbital is not symmetrical

higher probability of finding an electron on one
side of the nucleus than the other
leads to stronger bonds
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2p

Promote an electron from the 2s

to the 2p orbital

2s
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2p 2p

2s 2s
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2p

Mix together (hybridize) the 2s

orbital and two of the three 2p
orbitals

2s
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2p

2 sp2

3 equivalent half-filled
sp2 hybrid orbitals plus 1
p orbital left
2s
unhybridized
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2 of the 3 sp2 orbitals

are involved in s bonds
2 sp2
to hydrogens; the other
is involved in a s bond
to carbon
 sp2 Orbital Hybridization

2 sp2
 sp Orbital Hybridization

2p

Promote an electron from the 2s

to the 2p orbital

2s
 sp Orbital Hybridization

2p 2p

2s 2s
 sp Orbital Hybridization

2p

Mix together (hybridize) the 2s

orbital and one of the three 2p
orbitals

2s
 sp Orbital Hybridization

2p 2p

2 sp2

2 equivalent half-filled sp
hybrid orbitals plus 2 p
orbitals left unhybridized 2s
 sp Orbital Hybridization

2p

1 of the 2 sp orbitals
is involved in a s bond
2 sp2 to hydrogen; the other
is involved in a s bond
to carbon
 Types of Covalent Bonds

A sigma () bond is formed by end-to-end overlap of orbitals.

All single bonds are bonds.

A pi (p) bond is formed by sideways overlap of unhybridized orbitals.

A p bond is weaker than a bond because sideways overlap is less

effective than end-to-end overlap.

A double bond consists of one bond and one p bond

 s bond formation

hybrid orbitals sp, sp2, or sp3

formation of s bond
 p bond formation

s bond

remaining p orbitals from sp or sp2

p bond hinders rotation Planar molecule (each carbon
about the carbon-to- is trigonal planar) with p cloud
carbon bond above and below the plane

formation of p bond
 Allotropes

Carbon can bond with itself in at least three different ways giving us
3 different materials
Diamond
Graphite
Buckyballs (Buckminster-fullerenes)
 Diamond
Carbons are bonded via
sp3 hybridization to 4
other carbon atoms
forming a giant network
covalent compound.
4-sigma bonds and no-
pi bond
 Graphite

Carbon atoms are

bonded via sp2
hybridization.
Carbon has 4 valence e-
to bond with. 3 are
used for closest atoms
in rings. 1 is delocalized
in p-orbitals
3-sigma bonds and 1-pi
bond
 Physical Properties of
Diamond and Graphite
Property Diamond Graphite
Appearance Transparent Black

Hardness Very Hard Soft, slippery to

touch
Thermal Very poor moderate
Conductivity
Electrical Poor Good conductor
Conductivity
Density(kg/m3) 3510 2250

Uses Jewellery, drilling Dry cell, electric

arc, lubricant,
pencil lead
 Buckminster-fullerenes
Carbon atoms bond in units
of 60 atoms (C-60) forming
a structure similar to a
soccerball with interlocking
six sided and five sided
rings.
sp2 hybridization
Extra p-orbitals form pi
bonds resulting in
Electrical conductivity
Stronger covalent bonds,
therefore stronger materials
Graphene
 CARBON NANOTUBES
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of
carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure.
Nanotubes have been constructed with
length-to-diameter ratio of up to
132,000,000:1, significantly larger than for
any other material.
Nanotubes are members of the fullerene
structural family.
Their name is derived from their long,
hollow structure with the walls formed by
one-atom-thick sheets of carbon, called
graphene.
 Based on wrapping mechanism SWNT are divided into

Zigzag
Armchair
chiral

The structure of a SWNT can be conceptualized by

wrapping a one-atom-thick layer of graphite called
graphene into a seamless cylinder. The way the
graphene sheet is wrapped is represented by a pair of
indices (n,m). The integers n and m denote the number
of unit vectors along two directions in the honeycomb
crystal lattice of graphene.

If m = 0, the nanotubes are called zigzag nanotubes,

if n = m, the nanotubes are called armchair nanotubes.

Otherwise, they are called chiral.