Question

Give reasons why carbon neither forms C4 +nor C 4- anions, but forms covalent compounds which are bad conductors of electricity and have low melting and low boiling points.

Answer 1

Carbon atom has 4 valence electrons,it neither receives nor donates elections from other atoms rather it shares it's valence electrons with other atom and forms covalent bonds which are weak bonds.Hence c compounds have low melting & boiling points.

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