Why charge of carbon is different in methane and carbon tetrachloride?

Open in App

Solution

Dear Student

Carbon tetrachloride and methane are neutral molecules. Carbon has different oxidation states in both. Carbon has four electrons in their valence shell. It can lose as well as accept electrons. The oxidation state of Carbon depends on the other atoms in the compound.

Hydrogen is electropositive and it renders the carbon of methane, CH4, electron rich and it is defined as having an oxidation number of -4.

Carbon tetrachloride contains carbon in its +4 oxidation state. Carbon donates electrons to chlorine which is more electronegative. Hence, the oxidation state of Carbon is +4.

Regards

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Q. Methane is the first member of alkane, when it is treated with excess of chlorine in the presence of diffused sunlight forms carbon tetrachloride. Draw the appropriate structural formula of carbon tetrachloride and state the type of bond present in it.

Q. For the preparation of carbon tetrachloride from methane, the byproducts formed during the reaction is/are:

(a) Write the equation for the preparation of carbon tetrachloride from methane.
(b) Draw the structural formula of ethyne.
(c) How is the structure of alkynes different from that of alkenes ?

Q. Which of the following reaction will occur during the substitution reaction of methane with chlorine to form carbon tetrachloride?

Q. Which of the following reaction will not occur during the substitution reaction of methane with chlorine to form carbon tetrachloride?

Join BYJU'S Learning Program