Question

Why carbon can't form c4_ ions

Answer 1

carbon have 4 valence electrons in their outermost orbit. hence have valency 4 and maximum capacity of that shell is 8 means carbon have exactly half electrons in his outermost orbit. so it is difficult to loose 4 outermost electrons and form an ion . also carbon have electronic configuration of -1s² 2s²2p² which is general electronic configuration. but while bonding it undergoes exited state whose configuration is-1s² 2s¹ 2p³ . which help carbon atom to share its electrons to form a covalent bond.