Carbon is a versatile element and is found in many different chemical compounds, including those found in space. Carbon is versatile because it can form single, double, and triple bonds. It can also form chains, branched chains, and rings when connected to other carbon atoms.
Explanation:
meaning of versatile: capable of or adapted for many different uses, skills, etc. 2 variable or changeable.
The versatile nature of carbon can be best understood with its features such as, tetravalency and catenation. In this section let us learn more about versatility of carbon.
Carbon is a versatile element and is found in many different chemical compounds, including those found in space. Carbon is versatile because it can form single, double, and triple bonds. It can also form chains, branched chains, and rings when connected to other carbon atoms.
The two characteristic features seen in carbon, that is, tetravalency and catenation, put together give rise to a large number of compounds. Many have the same non-carbon atom or group of atoms attached to different carbon chains.
Catenation: The property of forming long chains by self-linking with other carbon atoms to form long chains, rings, double or triple bonds is called catenation.
Isomerism: Compounds with same molecular formula but different structural formula are called isomers. An isomerism commonly seen is due to difference in the arrangement of atoms or groups of atoms & is called structural isomerism. The 4 types of structural isomerism are:
Chain isomerism
Position
Functional
Metamerism
Tetravalency: Carbon has 4 electrons in its valence shell. Energy considerations do not allow it to gain or lose 4 electrons; therefore it forms covalent bonds with other elements to complete its octet. This accounts for its tetravalency and explains its ability to form a variety of compounds.
