Question

Explain, giving reason, why carbon neither forms $C^{4+}$ cations nor $C^{4-}$ anions, but forms covalent compounds which are bad conductors of electricity and have low melting point and low boiling point

Answer 1

Because carbon have valency 4. And it need 4 more electrons or have to give it's 4 electrons to be stable. But it is very difficult for carbon to take 4 electrons or give 4 electrons.

Therefore it exists as sharing the electrons i.e it forms co-valent bond.

Hope u got the answer :-).

Answer 2

♤ Carbon can't lose 4 electron to form C^4+ ions as very high energy is required to remove 4 electrons.

♤ Carbon can not gain 4 electron to form C^4- ions as 6 protons can not hold 10 ♤ electrons and Energy needs to be supplied to overcome repulsion.

♤ Carbon can share 4 electron to form covalent compounds.

♤ Carbons do not conduct electricity as they are non - polar and do not form ions.

♤ They have low melting points and boiling points due to weak van der Waal's force of attraction between molecules