Carbon and Its Compounds
Covalent bonding, homologous series, and functional groups in carbon compounds.
Chapter Overview
Carbon always forms covalent bonds — shares electrons to complete octet.
Carbon forms covalent bonds with itself and other elements, giving millions of organic compounds. Covers catenation, tetravalency, homologous series, nomenclature, functional groups, and important reactions.
Bonding & Structures
- Catenation: long carbon chains and rings
- Allotropes: diamond (3D), graphite (layers), fullerenes
- Saturated (alkanes CₙH₂ₙ₊₂) vs unsaturated (alkenes, alkynes)
Functional Groups
- Alcohol: −OH (ethanol C₂H₅OH)
- Carboxylic acid: −COOH (ethanoic acid CH₃COOH)
- Ketone: C=O, Aldehyde: −CHO
- Homologous series: same functional group, differ by CH₂
Reactions
Combustion
Hydrocarbon + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + heat
Esterification
Acid + Alcohol → Ester + Water (acid catalyst)
Saponification
Ester + NaOH → Alcohol + Soap (salt of fatty acid)
Solved Examples
Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.
Homologous series
Next homologue of C₂H₆?
- 1Add CH₂ group
- 2C₃H₈ (propane)
Answer
C₃H₈
Esterification
Ethanoic acid + ethanol → ?
- 1Acid + alcohol → ester + water
- 2Ethyl ethanoate + H₂O
Answer
Ethyl ethanoate and water
Key Points to Remember
- ✓ Soap micelles trap oily dirt
- ✓ Ethanol used as fuel and solvent
- ✓ Covalent compounds generally poor conductors
Exam Tips
- • Draw electron dot structures of CH₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₂
- • Know first 4 alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
- • Distinguish soaps and detergents
Practice MCQs — Carbon and Its Compounds
Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.
General formula of alkanes: