Question

Name two main properties of carbon which are responsible for the formation of such a large number of organic compounds.

Answer 1

Step 1:

Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) has a strong tendency to form bonds with other atoms. So, carbon can form more than 10 million organic compounds.

Step 2:

The main two reasons for carbon from the large number of compounds are:

• Tetravalency of carbon
• Catenation by carbon

Step 3:

Tetravalency of carbon: Carbon has four valence electrons in the outermost shell, and it takes 4 electrons to complete an octet of carbon. Therefore, carbon can form four single bonds with other atoms.

Catenation of carbon: Carbon has the ability to connect with another carbon atom in the long-chain matter.