Unique Nature of Carbon

Carbon has two properties that enable it to

form such an extensive range of compounds:

1. Catenation – the ability to form chains of

atoms.
2. The ability to form multiple bonds.
 Catenation
The elements nitrogen and oxygen do not
undergo extensive catenation. Compounds that
contain –O-O- bonds (peroxides) are typically
unstable and explode.
Likewise, compounds containing -N-N-
bonds are often explosive. An example is the
azide ion, N31-.
 Catenation
Carbon readily forms long chains of bonds
with itself. This property is called catenation, and
is fairly unique. It results for several reasons:
1. Carbon can make up to 4 bonds.
2. The carbon-carbon bond is generally as
strong as bonds between carbon and other
elements.
3. The catenated compounds are inert.
 Catenation
Silicon can also make long chains within its
compounds, but, since the silicon oxygen bond
is much stronger than that between two silicon
atoms, the chains typically contain –O-Si-O-Si-
type links, rather than -Si-Si- bonds.
Silicon also has empty low-lying d orbitals
which make its compounds more reactive.
 Typical Bond Energies

C−O 358
 Catenation
Since carbon can undergo extensive
catenation and make as many as four bonds, the
array of compounds is limitless.

The simplest compounds, those with carbon

and hydrogen, are used as the basic structure of
all molecules.
Carbon vs. Silicon
 Carbon vs. Silicon
One of the clearest differences between the
two elements is in their oxides. Carbon dioxide
is a non-polar molecular substance with double
bonds between the carbon and the oxygens.
: :

: :
O=C=O
 Carbon vs. Silicon
Since silicon doesn’t readily make double
bonds, and the silicon-oxygen bond is so stable,
the oxide of silicon is a network solid, in which
each silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen
atoms which are, in turn, bonded to other
silicon atoms.
Carbon vs. Silicon
The oxide of silicon
is found in quartz and
sand.
 Silicates
Silicates, ions containing silicon and oxygen,
are found in most rocks, soils and clays. Their
structures also are based on interconnected SiO4
tetrahedral units.
Silicates
Glass contains
silicates in a more
random pattern than
found in quartz.
 Application of Carbon
 All living things contain carbon compounds, and most
beings breathe out carbon dioxide, which is found in
the air. Plants use carbon dioxide to create
carbohydrates via photosynthesis, and animals get the
carbon for their carbon compounds by eating plants or
other animals.
 Products such as rubber and plastics contain carbon
because they are made from refined petroleum. Mineral
oil is made up of hydrocarbons and contains mainly
hydrogen and carbon. The same is true for gasoline and
natural gas, and we burn hydrocarbons to produce
carbon dioxide when we drive anywhere or heat a space
with petroleum products.
 Fossil fuels such as oil and coal, for example,
help fuel cars and industrial equipment. Trees
need carbon dioxide, a compound of carbon, to
produce photosynthesis. Without carbon, life on
Earth would be different than you know it.
 Look around you – carbon is everywhere. You're
made partly of carbon, so is clothing, furniture,
plastics and your household machines. There is
carbon in the air we breathe. Diamonds and
graphite are also made of carbon.
 All life on Earth is carbon-based. Carbon is
present in our muscles, bones, organs, blood and
other components of living matter.
Carbohydrates – compounds formed primarily
of carbon and hydrogen – provide fuel for living
organisms, underlie the structure of plants,
animals and bacteria and are essential
components of DNA and RNA, the molecular
blueprints of life.
 EVALUATION

Infive or more sentences

explain why carbon is
unique atom?