Question

The correct order of catenation is :

JEE MAIN 2019

• A. $C>Sn>Si\approx Ge$
• B. $Ge>Sn>Si>C$
• C. $C>Si>Ge\approx Sn$
• D. $Si>Sn>C>Ge$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $C>Si>Ge\approx Sn$

Correct option is A)
$C>Si>Ge\approx Sn$

As covalent bonding takes place in the process of catenation, it is a characteristic of a non-metal. Metals have the tendency to form the ionic bonds by losing their electrons while covalent bonds are formed by the non-metals by sharing of electrons.
All the given elements belong to group 14 of the periodic table. We know that the metallic character increases down the group. The order of the elements down the group is as
C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb
-Carbon and silicon are non-metals and so they have more tendency to show catenation.
Also as we move down the group, bond strength decreases, thereby decreasing the catenation tendency.

Hence the order is as expected : $C>Si>Ge\approx Sn$