Carbon is a versatile element that forms the basis of all living organisms and many of the things we use. A…
Carbon is a versatile element that forms the basis of all living organisms and many of the things we use. A large variety of compounds is formed because of its tetravalency. Compounds of carbon are formed with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine and many other elements.
Answer the following questions :
(a) What are hydrocarbons ? [1]
(b) List two properties by virtue of which carbon can form a large number of compounds. [1]
(c) (i) Write the formula of the functional group present in (1) aldehydes, and (2) ketones. Write chemical equation for the reaction that occurs between ethanoic acid and ethanol in the presence of a catalyst. [2]
Solution
(a) Compounds formed by carbon and hydrogen only.
(b) Tetravalency and Catenation
(c)(i) (1) [structural diagram of aldehyde functional group, -CHO] (2) [structural diagram of ketone functional group, C=O]
CH3COOH + C2H5OH $\xrightarrow{\text{Acid}}$ CH3COOC2H5 + H2O (Ester)