Question

Why do carbon compounds share electrons instead of loose or gain?

Answer 1

The atomic number of the carbon is 6 which mean that a neutral atom of carbon contain 6 electrons so the electronic configuration of carbon is 2,4 it is clear that carbon has 4 electrons in the outermost shell of its atom. now carbon atom is very small due to which its outermost electron are strongly held by the nucleus so it is not possible to remove 4 electron from A carbon atom to give it inert gas electron arrangement it is also not possible to add as many as 4 electron to A carbon atom due to the energy consideration and the acquire the inert gas configuration atom can achieve the inert gas electron only by sharing of electrons for Carbon always forms covalent bond

Answer 2

Carbon compounds share electrons instead of loosing them. Actually carbon has 4 valence electrons, if it has to attain a completely filled outer shell it needs to either gain or ise the 4 electrons. If it gains 4 more electrons it will be difficult for 6 protons to handle 4 extra electrons, making it unstable. And if it looses 4 electrons, a lot of energy will be required and it will again be difficult for 4 proton to handle just 2 electrons. So it shares its electrons.