Why does carbon form such a large number of compounds?

Carbon is the only element that can form so many different compounds because each carbon atom can form four chemical bonds to other atoms and because the carbon atom is just the right, small size to fit in comfortably as parts of very large molecules. This property is called the catenation

Explain why carbon forms compound mainly by covalent bonds. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements?

Carbon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell, and needs to gain or loss 4 electrons to attain nobel gas configuration. Losing or gaining 4 electrons is not possible due to energy considerations, hence it shares electrons to form covalent bonds.Two reasons for large number of carbon compounds:1) Catenation: The unique ability of carbon to form bonds with other atoms of carbon giving rise to long chains of different types of compounds.2) Tetravalency: since carbon has a valency of 4, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of Carbon or atoms of elements like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine etc.Carbon forms strong bonds with most other elements because of its small size which enables the nucleus to hold on to the shared pairs of electrons strongly.

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number of carbon compounds?

Catenation (self linking of carbon atoms to form long chains) and Tetravalency are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number of carbon compounds.

Catenation is the ability of an atom to form bonds with other atoms of the same element. It is exhibited by both carbon and silicon. Compare the ability of catenation of the two elements. Give reasons.

Both carbon and silicon show the ability of catenation. But compounds made by silicon are reactive and less stable. On the other hand, bonds formed by carbon are very strong and hence organic compounds are more stable than silicon compounds. It can be said that carbon shows better catenation ability than silicon.

\\(CO_{2}\\) is gas, while \\(SiO_{2}\\) is a solid at room temperatue. State a reason for it.

\\(CO_2\\) consists of individual molecules with one central carbon atom double bonded to two oxygen atoms. Silicon does not form double bonds with oxygen.\\(CO_2\\) is gas but \\(SiO_2\\) is solid because the \\(SiO_2\\) is in giant molecular structure but the \\(CO_2\\) is simple molecular structure.Because of this reason \\(CO_2\\) is gas but \\(SiO_2\\) is solid.

The large number of organic compounds is due to the ability of carbon atom to form long chains with other carbon atoms through the sharing of electrons. This unique property of carbon is known as catenation.Carbon atoms can form long chains by sharing their valence electrons with other carbon atoms.

Arrange the group 14 elements in the order of decreasing ionisation energies.

As we move down the group, the ionisation energy decreases, due to increase in atomic size, thereby, increasing the distance of the electrons from the nucleus. The first ionisation energy of lead is slightly higher than that of tin. The reason is due to lanthanide contraction. The atomic size of tin and lead are very close, and hence, the charge density is more in case of lead, due to more charge. Due to higher charge density, the outer electrons are attracted more by the nucleus in lead and hence, the ionisation energy is more in the case of lead.

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number?

The two properties that give rise to carbon to form a large number of compounds are:1) Catenation: It is the ability to form bonds with other carbon atoms.2) Tetravalency: Due to 4 valency of carbon, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms.

The compound that will react most readily with gaseous bromine has the formula is:

The compound that will react most readily with gaseous bromine has the formula \\(C_3H_6\\).Unsymmetrical alkenes generally are more reactive than the symmetrical alkenes, alkynes and alkanes. That is why, propene is more reactive than the other given compounds. Hence, option C is correct.

Which of the following is not a Lewis acid?

Lewis Acid is one that accepts electrons. So, usually a compound with positive charge would be acid. Also, a compound with empty orbitals. Lewis Base is one that donates electrons. So, usually a compound with negative charge would be considered base. Also, a compound with lone pairs. \\(SiF_4\\),\\(FeCl_3\\) and \\(BF_3\\) are lewis acids becuase all these compounds are having vacant orbitals to accept electon pairs\\(C_2H_2\\) is not a lewis acid.It's a Lewis base, as it can use a pair of electrons from the pi bond to donate to a Lewis acid.Hence option D is correct.

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties | Definition, Examples, Diagrams

definition

Physical properties of carbon family

All the carbon family member are solids. Carbon and silicon are non metals, germanium is metalloid, whereas tin and lead are soft metals with low melting points. The M.P. and B.P. of carbon family are higher than those of corresponding elements of boron family.

definition

Oxidation of carbon family

The carbon family elements have four electrons in outer most shell. All the elements show an oxidation state of +4. However, as we move down the group from C to Pb, the stability of +4 oxidation state decreases while that of +2 oxidation state increases due to inert pair effect.

definition

Trend in oxidising and reducing properties of carbon family

1. Sn in +2 oxidation state is reducing agent.
2. Lead compounds are stable in +2 state. Lead in +4 oxidation state acts as oxidizing agent, so the oxidizing and reducing nature from top to bottom become specific.
3. Carbon always present in +2 to +4 oxidation states.

definition

Tendency of formation of p(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

1. In carbon family Carbon have tendency to form

p π - p π

multiple bonds with itself and with other atoms of small size and high electronegativity, because its size is small, but other element with heavier nucleus do not form this type of bond due to large and diffused atomic orbitals.

definition

Tendency to form d(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

1. Carbon does not have d-orbitals and hence it does not form

d π - p π

bonds.
2. However, silicon and other heavier elements of this group because of presence of vacant d-orbitals in them tend to form

d π - p π

bond.

definition

Reactivity of carbon towards oxygen and their properties

All the element of group 14 when heated in oxygen form oxides. These are mainly of two types, i.e., monoxides of the formula MO and dioxides of the formula MO

_{2}

. These oxides shows the properties like acid-base character, reducing-oxidizing nature etc.

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards water and their properties

Carbon, silicon and germanium do not decomposes water at all. Tin decomposes steam to form tin oxide and dihydrogen gas.

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards halogens and their properties

Except C all member of carbon series forms halides of formula MX

_{4}

, which are covalent in nature.

definition

Maximum covalency and tendency to form complexes in carbon family

Carbon because of the absence of d-orbitals, cannot expand its valency and hence, its maximum covalency or coordination number is four. But other member show coordination greater than 4 forming penta-coordinated and hexa-coordinated complexes.

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties

definition

Physical properties of carbon family

definition

Oxidation of carbon family

definition

Trend in oxidising and reducing properties of carbon family

definition

Tendency of formation of p(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

definition

Tendency to form d(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

definition

Reactivity of carbon towards oxygen and their properties

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards water and their properties

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards halogens and their properties

definition

Maximum covalency and tendency to form complexes in carbon family

REVISE WITH CONCEPTS

Group 14 - Atomic Properties

Carbon - Trends and Anomalous Behaviour

Quick Summary With Stories

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties - II

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties - I

Why does carbon form such a large number of compounds?

Explain why carbon forms compound mainly by covalent bonds. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements?

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number of carbon compounds?

Catenation is the ability of an atom to form bonds with other atoms of the same element. It is exhibited by both carbon and silicon. Compare the ability of catenation of the two elements. Give reasons.

$C O_{2}$ is gas, while $S i O_{2}$ is a solid at room temperatue. State a reason for it.

Define: Catenation

Arrange the group 14 elements in the order of decreasing ionisation energies.

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number?

The compound that will react most readily with gaseous bromine has the formula is:

Which of the following is not a Lewis acid?

definition

Physical properties of carbon family

definition

Oxidation of carbon family

definition

Trend in oxidising and reducing properties of carbon family

definition

Tendency of formation of p(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

definition

Tendency to form d(pi) - p(pi) bonds in carbon family

definition

Reactivity of carbon towards oxygen and their properties

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards water and their properties

definition

Reactivity of carbon family towards halogens and their properties

definition

Maximum covalency and tendency to form complexes in carbon family

REVISE WITH CONCEPTS

Group 14 - Atomic Properties

Carbon - Trends and Anomalous Behaviour

Quick Summary With Stories

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties - II

Group 14 - Physical and Chemical Properties - I

Why does carbon form such a large number of compounds?

Explain why carbon forms compound mainly by covalent bonds. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements?

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number of carbon compounds?

Catenation is the ability of an atom to form bonds with other atoms of the same element. It is exhibited by both carbon and silicon. Compare the ability of catenation of the two elements. Give reasons.

CO2​ is gas, while SiO2​ is a solid at room temperatue. State a reason for it.

Define: Catenation

Arrange the group 14 elements in the order of decreasing ionisation energies.

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of a large number?

The compound that will react most readily with gaseous bromine has the formula is:

Which of the following is not a Lewis acid?

$C O_{2}$ is gas, while $S i O_{2}$ is a solid at room temperatue. State a reason for it.