List two reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Name the type of bonding found in most of its compounds. Why does carbon form compounds mainly by this kind of bonding?

Give reason why the carbon compounds-

(i) Generally, have low melting and boiling points.

(ii) Do not conduct electricity in molten state.

The two properties of carbon which leads to large number of carbon compounds are:

1. Catenation: It is the important property of carbon to form bonds of carbon atoms which forms bonds with the other atoms resulting in the formation of large molecules.

2. Tetravalency of carbon atom: Due to the valency 4 of the carbon atom, it has capability of making bonds with four other carbon atoms or other elements.

Most of the carbon compounds forms covalent bond i.e. bond which is formed by sharing of electrons. Since Carbon has 4 electrons in their outermost shell which means that it needs 4 electrons to gain or to loose to obtain stable gas electronic configuration. This is difficult as it requires large amount of energy to do so. So, carbon completes its octet by sharing electrons with other atoms and forms covalent bonds.

(i) Since carbon compounds are formed through covalent bonding and due to which the forces of attraction are not strong. Therefore, they have low melting and boiling points.

(ii) Since, due to covalent bonding, no ions are not formed in molten state and therefore, doesn’t conducts electricity.