Question

(a) Write two features of carbon which lead to form huge number of compounds. Write the nature of bond in organic compounds.
(b) Give the formula of two higher homologues of ethane.
(c) Draw the electron dot structure of ethane.

Answer 1

a) The two features of carbon which lead to form huge number of compounds are:

1) Catenation - It is the linkage of atoms of the same element into longer chains. Catenation occurs most readily in carbon, which forms covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to form longer chains and structures. This is the reason for the presence of the vast number of organic compounds in nature.

2) Tetravalency -A tetravalence is the state of an atom with four electrons available for covalent chemical bonding in its valence (outermost electron shell).

Organic compounds have covalent bonds in their structure.

b) $C_3{H}_8$ and $C_4{H}_{10}$ which are propane and butane respectively are two higher homologues of ethane.

(c) Electron dot structure as shown in image.