Carbon: Physical and Chemical Properties

Carbon is unique in its chemical properties since it forms a greater number of components than the sum of all the other elements combined.

Carbon and hydrogen form the largest group of all these components. We are aware of a minimum of around 1 million organic components, and this figure is constantly increasing each year. Although the classification is not exact, carbon creates another class of compounds known as inorganic compounds, which are far fewer in number than organic ones.

Diamond and graphite are two well-defined allotropic crystalline forms of elemental carbon. Additionally, vegetable carbon and black fumes have a low crystallinity. Chemically pure carbon can be generated via the thermal breakdown of sugar (sucrose) in the absence of oxygen. Carbon’s physical and chemical properties are determined by its crystalline structure.

Carbon Allotropes

Carbon atoms can be connected in a variety of ways. They result in the formation of carbon allotropes. Allotropes are distinct forms of an element that differ in physical attributes but are chemically equivalent. It exists in two or more crystalline forms in the same physical condition. Graphite and diamond are the two most abundant allotropes of carbon. ‘Fullerene’ is the third allotrope and the purest form of carbon. Under specific conditions, they can act as semiconductors, conductors, and superconductors. Additionally, they can alter light transmission based on the strength of the light, which is referred to as a photometric effect. They are completely harmless and inactive. Additionally, they generate active derivatives.

Physical Properties

1. One of the most significant carbon components is charcoal, which is formed when carbon is heated in the absence of air.
2. Carbon is a one-of-a-kind element. It occurs in a variety of structures. Coal and ash are two examples of pure carbon.
3. The density of distinct forms of carbon is determined by their origin. You will find some pure forms of carbon and a few structures that are not pure, such as coal, which is a combination of carbon and hydrogen.
4. This phenomenon occurs in a variety of allotropic structures. Allotropes are variants of a single component having distinct physical and chemical properties.
5. Its hue is delicate and dismal grey or black.

Chemical Properties of Carbon

Chemical characteristics dictate how carbon reacts with other compounds and changes states. The chemical properties of carbon are discovered during chemical reactions. Carbon may be converted into millions of different chemicals.

Carbon is involved in four major chemical reactions:

1. Combustion Reaction: When carbon reacts with oxygen in the air, carbon dioxide, heat, and light are produced. Combustion is defined as the process by which carbon is burned over oxygen to produce heat and light.

C(s) + ½ O2(g) →CO2(g) + heat + light

Unsaturated carbon emits a yellow flame and creates soot, whereas saturated carbon emits a blue flame and produces soot. Combustion might be complete or incomplete.

2. Oxidation Reaction: In the presence of oxygen, carbon and its compounds are oxidised.

C(s) + ½ O2(g) →2CO(g)

Not all oxidation reactions are combustion reactions, and not all combustion reactions are oxidation reactions.

3. Addition Reaction: Carbon is capable of forming long strings or chains of atoms via the addition reaction. This is referred to as the “addition reaction” in scientific terminology. Unsaturated compounds are converted into saturated substances as a result of this process.

When ethene with a double bond is heated in the presence of hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst, ethane is formed.

CH2=CH2 + H2 + (Nickel Catalyst) →CH3 – CH3

4. Substitution Reaction: A substitution reaction occurs when one functional group in a chemical is substituted with another functional group.

Example: CH3Cl + OH- →CH3OH + Cl- 

Isotopes of Carbon

1. Carbon-12 (12C): It is a molecule composed of six neutrons and six protons. This is the most frequently occurring isotope. Carbon-12 is extremely stable, with a concentration of around 98.89 % in a particular sample. As a result, it is the primary component of any sample of carbon.

1. Carbon-13 (13C): It is a molecule composed of seven neutrons and six protons. Additionally, this carbon isotope is stable and is heavier than carbon-12. Carbon-13 makes up approximately 1.11 % of a given sample.
2. Carbon-14 (14C): Its nucleus has eight neutrons and six protons. This isotope is very radioactive and unstable. However, it degrades over time into a stable substance. It is heavier than carbon – 12,13 – and occurs at a very low concentration in a sample of less than about 10%

Importance of Carbon

Carbon is the most crucial element for life since it is the only element that makes strong single bonds with itself that is stable enough to withstand chemical attack in ambient settings. This enables carbon to form long chains and rings of atoms, which serve as the structural basis for a large number of compounds found in living cells, the most important of which being DNA.

Carbon is abundant in the form of compounds. Carbon is present in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide in a concentration of 0.03 percent by volume. Carbonates are found in a variety of minerals, including limestone, dolomite, gypsum, and marble. All living things, including plants and animals, are composed of complex organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. Deposits of petroleum, asphalt, and bitumen are formed by the remains of living plants and animals. Carbon and hydrogen are found in natural gas reserves.

Conclusion

This was a brief review of carbon, its physical and chemical properties, allotropes and isotopes of carbon, their relative abundance in a given sample, and their significance of carbon.