6 Questions
What is the term used to describe the ability of carbon to form chains of atoms?
Catenation
Why do nitrogen and oxygen not undergo extensive catenation like carbon?
They lack the ability to form multiple bonds
Which type of compounds are typically unstable and explosive due to the -O-O- bonds they contain?
Peroxides
Why does silicon not exhibit catenation to the same extent as carbon?
Stronger silicon-oxygen bonds compared to silicon-silicon bonds
What causes the inertness of catenated carbon compounds?
Carbon's ability to make up to 4 bonds
In comparison to carbon, why do compounds containing -N-N- bonds tend to be explosive?
Presence of empty low-lying d orbitals in nitrogen
Study Notes
Unique Nature of Carbon
- Carbon has two unique properties that enable it to form a vast range of compounds: catenation (the ability to form chains of atoms) and the ability to form multiple bonds.
- Catenation is the ability of carbon to form long chains of bonds with itself, which is fairly unique and results from several reasons:
- Carbon can make up to 4 bonds.
- The carbon-carbon bond is generally as strong as bonds between carbon and other elements.
- The catenated compounds are inert.
Catenation in Other Elements
- Nitrogen and oxygen do not undergo extensive catenation.
- Compounds that contain -O-O- bonds (peroxides) are typically unstable and explosive.
- Compounds containing -N-N- bonds are often explosive, an example being the azide ion (N3-).
- Silicon can also make long chains within its compounds, but the chains typically contain –O-Si-O- type links, rather than -Si-Si- bonds.
- Silicon has empty low-lying d orbitals, making its compounds more reactive.
Explore the unique nature of carbon and its properties that enable the formation of an extensive range of compounds, including catenation and the ability to form multiple bonds. Learn about the distinctions between organic and inorganic compounds.
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