Carbon and Its Compounds

Flashcards about Carbon and its Compounds

Carbon

A non-metal with atomic number 6 and electronic configuration 2, 4. It is a versatile element that forms strong covalent bonds.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed between two atoms by mutual sharing of electrons, allowing each atom to attain a noble gas configuration.

Types of Covalent Bonds

Single, double, and triple bonds, involving the sharing of one, two, and three pairs of electrons, respectively.

Properties of Covalent Bonds

Low melting and boiling points, poor conductors of electricity, and solubility in organic solvents but insolubility in water.

Allotropy

The property of an element to exist in more than one form, with similar chemical properties but different physical properties. Carbon's allotropes include diamond, graphite, and buckminsterfullerene.

Catenation

The property of carbon atoms to form bonds with other carbon atoms, creating long chains, branched chains, or rings.

Tetravalency

Carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds, bonding with elements like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms, classified as saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms (alkanes), represented by the formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons with double (alkenes, CₙH₂ₙ) or triple bonds (alkynes, CₙH₂ₙ₋₂), between carbon atoms.

Isomerism

Organic compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

Straight Chain Compounds

Compounds with carbon atoms arranged in a linear fashion.

Branched Chain Compounds

Compounds where the carbon chain splits off in one or more directions.

Cyclic Compounds or Rings

Compounds where the carbon backbone is linked to form a ring or loop.

Homologous Series

A series of organic compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties, with each member differing by a -CH₂ group and a molecular weight difference of 14 u.

Heteroatom and Functional Groups

Elements other than carbon and hydrogen in a hydrocarbon chain that replace hydrogen atoms, imparting specific chemical properties as functional groups.

Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds

Suffixes, prefixes, and base names used to systematically name organic compounds based on the number of carbon atoms and functional groups present.

Combustion

Burning carbon compounds in air to produce carbon dioxide, water, heat, and light. Saturated hydrocarbons produce blue, non-sooty flames, while unsaturated hydrocarbons produce yellow, sooty flames.

Oxidation

Converting alcohols to carboxylic acids using oxidizing agents like alkaline potassium permanganate or acidified potassium dichromate.

Addition Reaction

Adding hydrogen to unsaturated hydrocarbons in the presence of catalysts like palladium or nickel to produce saturated hydrocarbons.

Substitution Reaction

Replacing hydrogen atoms in saturated hydrocarbons with other atoms, such as chlorine, in the presence of sunlight.

Chemical Properties of Ethanol: Reaction with Sodium

Reacts with sodium to form sodium ethoxide and hydrogen.

Chemical Properties of Ethanol: Reaction with acid

When heated with concentrated sulfuric acid at 443K, it is dehydrated to ethene.

Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid: Reaction with ethanol

Reacts with absolute ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst to give an ester; this reaction is called esterification reaction.

Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid: Reaction with NaOH

Reacts with a base such as sodium hydroxide to give a salt (sodium ethanoate) and water.

Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid: Reaction with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates

Reacts with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to give rise to a salt, carbon dioxide, and water.

Soaps

Sodium or potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.

Detergents

Ammonium or sulfonate salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.

Cleansing Action of Soaps

When soap is dissolved in water, soap molecules form structures called micelles where one end of the molecules is towards the oil droplet while the hydrophilic end faces outside. This forms an emulsion in water and helps in dissolving the dirt.