Carbon And Its Compounds

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts, allotropes, nomenclature, and chemical properties of Carbon and its compounds based on the lecture notes.

Carbon

A non-metal element with symbol $C$, atomic number $6$, and electronic configuration $(2,4)$. it belongs to the $14^{th}$ group and $2^{nd}$ period in the Modern Periodic Table.

Tetravalency

The property of carbon having a valency of $4$, meaning it requires four electrons to achieve an eight-electron inert gas structure.

Catenation

The unique property of carbon atoms to combine with themselves to form long chains, branched chains, or rings through covalent bonds.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, which is the only way carbon can achieve an inert gas electron arrangement.

Allotropy

The phenomenon of the existence of a chemical element in two or more forms having similar chemical properties but different physical properties due to structures, such as diamond and graphite.

Diamond

A crystalline allotrope of carbon that is the hardest known substance, is a non-conductor of electricity, and has a melting point of more than $3500\,^{\circ}C$.

Graphite

A greyish-black opaque allotrope of carbon that is soft, slippery, and a good conductor of electricity due to the presence of free electrons.

Buckminsterfullerene

An allotrope of carbon containing clusters of $60$ carbon atoms ($C_{60}$) joined together to form spherical molecules.

Organic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with the study of organic compounds, which are compounds of carbon excluding carbonates, bicarbonates, carbides, and oxides.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen, with major sources being petroleum and natural gas.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are connected by only single bonds, following the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond between two carbon atoms, with the general formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one triple bond between two carbon atoms, with the general formula $C_nH_{2n-2}$.

Alkyl Groups

Groups formed by the removal of one hydrogen atom from an alkane molecule, such as the methyl group ($CH_3-$) and ethyl group ($C_2H_5-$).

Cyclic Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons in which carbon atoms are arranged in a ring, which can be saturated (e.g., cyclohexane, $C_6H_{12}$) or unsaturated (e.g., benzene, $C_6H_6$).

Isomerism

The phenomenon where chemical compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas, such as n-butane and iso-butane.

Homologous Series

A group of organic compounds having similar structures and chemical properties in which successive members differ by a $-CH_2$ group.

Functional Group

An atom or group of atoms that makes a carbon compound reactive and determines its chemical properties, such as $-OH$ for alcohols or $-CHO$ for aldehydes.

Ethanol

A colourless liquid also known as ethyl alcohol ($C_2H_5OH$) with a boiling point of $78\,^{\circ}C$, commonly prepared by the fermentation of sugar.

Denatured Alcohol

Ethyl alcohol that has been made unfit for drinking by adding small amounts of poisonous substances like methanol, pyridine, or copper sulphate.

Ethanoic Acid

A colourless liquid ($CH_3COOH$) with a pungent smell and sour taste, whose pure form is called glacial acetic acid.

Esterification

The reaction of an alcohol with a carboxylic acid in the presence of concentrated $H_2SO_4$ to produce a sweet-smelling ester.

Saponification

The process of making soap by the hydrolysis of fats and oils with alkalis like sodium hydroxide.

Soap

The sodium salt of a long chain carboxylic acid (fatty acid) that has cleansing action in water.

Detergents

Cleansing agents that are usually sodium salts of long chain benzene sulphonic acids or alkyl hydrogen sulphates, which work effectively even in hard water.

Micelles

Spherical clusters formed by soap molecules in water where the hydrophobic tails entrap dirt or grease at the center.

Scum

An insoluble precipitate formed when soap reacts with the calcium and magnesium salts present in hard water.