Question

Explain the versatile nature of carbon. Why it forms only covalent compound

Answer 1

Answer:

Carbon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell, and needs to gain or loss 4 electrons to attain nobel gas configuration. Losing or gaining 4 electrons is not possible due to energy considerations, hence it shares electrons to form covalent bonds

Explanation:

Reasons for large number of carbon compounds:

1) Catenation: The unique ability of carbon to form bonds with other atoms of carbon giving rise to long chains of different types of compounds.

2) Tetravalency: since carbon has a valency of 4, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of Carbon or atoms of elements like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine etc