Bonding in Carbon Atoms

Bonding in Carbon Atoms:

Carbon forms covalent bonds. 

Carbon has 4 valence electrons . 

• The size of carbon atom is very small
  So the distance between nucleus and valence electrons is very less.

• Due to this, the nucleus exerts a lot of force on these electrons

• Hence, it is not possible to remove 4 electrons from a carbon atom and form C ⁴⁺ because an extremely large amount of energy will be required for the same.

On the other hand, a carbon atom cannot gain 4 electrons and form C ^4- because the nucleus having 6 protons will not be able to hold 4 extra electrons i.e., 10 electrons.

• Hence, it shares electrons with other atoms to achieve noble gas configuration and form covalent bonds . 

How strong is the C-C bond?

• Since the size of a carbon atom is small, the distance between nucleus and valence electrons is less . (Valence electrons are the ones found in the outermost shell of an atom).
• Hence, the nucleus is able to exert a lot of pressure on these valence electrons.
• Therefore, we can summarize that bonds made by small atoms are stronger as compared to those made by bigger atoms so carbon forms strong bonds.

Carbon can form upto 4 covalent bonds at once . 

• Meaning, its valency is 4 .
• This is known as tetravalency. 

Example:    

Carbon forms a bond with 4 Hydrogen atoms to form CH 4 .

• Here, each Hydrogen shares one pair of electrons with the carbon atom. 
• This is called a single bond . 
• Carbon has 4 valence electrons whereas hydrogen has 1 . 
• In order to attain stability , the outer shell of Carbon must have 8 electrons and hydrogen must have 2 electrons.
• Therefore, one carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds with 4 hydrogen atoms as shown below:

Carbon forms 4 covalent bonds with 2 oxygen atoms to form Carbon Dioxide (CO ₂ ):

A Double bond is a covalent bond formed between 2 atoms which share 2 pairs of electrons with each other.

• Carbon has 4 valence electrons whereas oxygen has 2 . 
• In order to attain stability , the outer shell of both atoms must have 8 electrons . 
• Therefore, one carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds or 2 double bonds with two oxygen atoms as shown below:

Carbon forms triple bonds with Nitrogen to form HCN 

A Triple Bond is a covalent bond formed between 2 atoms which share 3 pairs of electrons with each other. 

• Carbon has 4 valence electrons whereas Nitrogen has 3 . 
• In order to attain stability , the outer shell of both atoms must have 8 electrons . 
• Therefore, one carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds or 1 triple bond with the nitrogen atom as shown below:
• Since Carbon’s 1 valency is still left , Carbon shares it with hydrogen to form HCN.