CARBON COMPOUNDS
Carbon Compounds are defined as chemical substances containing carbon.
Most compounds that contain the element carbon are organic compounds made by living
organisms or synthesized in laboratories.
More than 90% of carbon compounds are organic.
With 4 electrons in its outer energy level, carbon can form one covalent bond with each of
these electrons.
Carbon Compounds- are a group of compounds that contain the element carbon.
Contain carbon and hydrogen combined with other elements namely oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorous, sulfur, halogens, ethyl alcohol, acetone, gasoline, naphthalene, acetic acid,
vanillin, acetylene, and esters.
Are produced by plants and animals.
They can also be produced artificially.
There are Organic Compounds that are produced from petroleum: LPG, gasoline, lubricating
oil and kerosene.
Following are the example of compounds that contain carbon but they are not considered as organic
compounds because their properties resemble those of inorganic compounds.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
Polyatomic ions like:
Bicarbonate (HCO3)
Cyanide (CN-)
Cyanate (CNO-)
Carbonate (CO32-)
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBON COMPOUNDS
1. Carbon is the sixth element with four valence electrons. This kind of atomic structure makes the
carbon atom to form covalent bonds with atoms of other elements and other carbon atoms.
2. Carbon atoms can also make many types of arrangements: single bond, double bond and triple
bond.
3. Carbon compounds can form different kinds of compounds with short and long straight and
branched chained structures such as the following compounds.
TYPES OF BONDS
Single Bond – single covalent bond in which they share 1 pair of electrons. (2 e-)
Double Bond – carbon atoms may share 2 pairs of electrons to form a double bond.
Triple Bond – carbon atoms may share 3 pairs of electrons to form a triple bond.
Carbon bonded in a straight chain as heptane, an organic compound in gasoline.
A branched chain, shows isoprene, an organic compound in natural rubber
A cyclic ring or chain, is vanillin from vanilla flavoring
Special characteristics of Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds (4 valence electrons) with other
carbon or other elements.
They have low melting points – due to weak intermolecular forces.
They react slower than ionic compounds – due to strong covalent bonds between atoms.
Characteristics of Organic Compounds
They are nonpolar compounds – they do not dissolve in polar solvents like water
remember the rule – “likes dissolves likes”
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon compounds.
PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Inorganic Compounds Organic Compounds
Do not contain carbon Contains carbon
High melting point Low melting point
High boiling point Low boiling point
Generally soluble in water and rarely soluble in Most are not soluble in water but are generally
nonpolar solvents soluble in nonpolar solvents
Conduct electric current (electrolyte) Do not conduct electric current (nonelectrolyte)
Generally inflammable Generally flammable
Ionic bonding Covalent bonding
Examples: Vinegar, CH3COOH (Acetic Acid)
Sodium chloride (NaCI) Aspirin
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) Candle, C21H44 (Paraffin)
Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) Gasoline, C8H18
Aluminum hydroxide (AI(OH)3) Plastic, (CH2-CHCl)n
Alcohol, CH2CH2OH
HYDROCARBONS
A compound that is made of only carbon and hydrogen is called a hydrocarbon.
Natural gas contains the hydrocarbon methane or CH 4.
Classification of Hydrocarbons
Aromatic Compounds are always cyclic as they contain the benzene ring as part of its structure.
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon are those that do not contain benzene rings.
Saturated Hydrocarbon consists of single bonds.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons consist of double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.
Single Bonds
Hydrocarbons with only single-bonded C atoms are called saturated hydrocarbons. It is saturated
because each C is bonded to as many H as possible.
Isomers are compounds that have same chemical formula, but have different molecular structure and
shapes. Thousands of hydrocarbons are isomers. Butane and isobutane are two of them.
TYPES OF REPRESENTATIVE HYDROCARBONS AND THEIR USES
TYPES OF HYDROCARBONS
1. Aliphatic hydrocarbon, having a straight chain structure with no rings in them.
Aliphatic hydrocarbon, are classified according to the types of bonds they contain:
ALKANES, having only single bonds (C-C)
ALKENES, contain a carbon- carbon double bond (C-C)
ALKYNES, contains a carbon- carbon triple bond.
2. Aromatic hydrocarbons contain a benzene ring as a structural unit.
TYPES OF ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBON
Methane, CH4
Ethane, C2H6
Propane, C3H8
Butane, C4H10
Hexane, C6H14
Heptane, C7H16
Octane, C8H18
ALKANE
EXAMPLE FORMULA USES
Methane CH4 A natural gas, used as fuel
Ethane C2H6 Natural gas
Refrigerant
Used in the manufacture of
acetic acid, acetaldehyde and
ethanol
Propane C3H8 Fuel for space heating, water
heating, cooking (LPG), drying
and transportation;
petrochemical feedstock
Butane C4H10 Used as fuel for
cigarette lighters and
portable stoves, a
propellant in aerosois, a
heating fuel, a
refrigerant.
Extract edible oils from
seeds and vegetables.
As an additive in
consumer products
including gasoline, glue,
varnishers, and inks.
As a cleaning agent in
the textile, furniture and
printing industries.
Hexane C6H14 As a special glue
used in roofing,
shoemaking and
leather products.
Anesthetic, cements,
compounders, inks,
lab reagents, organic
synthesis and
solvents.
Major component of
gasoline.
Octane C8H18
ALKENE
EXAMPLE FORMULA USES
Ethane C2H4 Building block for the
production of plastics
(PVC, PET),
antifreeze solutions
and solvents.
Starting material for
the production of
cosmetics and toilets
preparations.
Used for the
production of
important chemicals
such as propylene
oxide, acrylonitrile,
cumene,
butylaldehyde, and
acrylic acid.
Propene C3H4 Used as a monomer
in plastic production.
It is also used to
prepare other
chemicals, as fuel
additive, a fragrance,
or a perfume
ingredient.
Butene C4H8 Used in the
production of high-
quality plastics such
as polyethylene and
poly (1- butene)
Important
applications in
packaging materials
such as films, bags,
and food packaging.
ALKYNE
EXAMPLE FORMULA USES
Ethyne For welding and
(Acetylene) cutting
Propyne A rocket fuel for
space craft intended
for low Earth orbit.
CARBON FUNCTIONAL GROUP
Functional Groups
Most organic chemistry involves substituents, which are groups attached to hydrocarbon chains. The
substituents of organic molecules often contain oxygen, nitrogen and halogens. They are called
functional groups because they are the chemically functional parts of the molecule. The functional
group present in alkene is the double bond and triple bond in alkynes. Do you know that the alcohol
(ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol) we are using to sanitize our hand is an example of hydrocarbon
containing oxygen substituents?
Organic Compounds Classified by Functional Groups
Compound Functional Examples Uses
Type Group
Alcohol OH, hydroxyl Methanol Used as a solvent
Raw material for the manufacture of
formaldehyde and special resins,
antifreeze and cleaning metals.
Used for the production of acetic acid and
formaldehyde, which in turn are used in
products like adhesives, foams, plywood,
subfloors, solvents and windshield washer
fluid.
Alcohol OH, hydroxyl Ethanol Used for the production of toiletries,
pharmaceuticals, and fuels.
Used to sterilize hospital instruments;
antiseptic.
The alcohol in alcoholic beverages such
as beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
Aldehyde Carbonyl, Methanal Used in making building materials and
C=O (formaldehyde) many household products
Used in pressed- wood products, such as
particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard;
glues and adhesives; permanent press
fabrics; paper product coatings; and
certain insulation materials.
Preservation of biological specimens
Embalming (treating human remains to
delay their decomposition)
Aldehyde Carbonyl, Formalin (37% Disinfectant for hospital appliances
C=O formaldehyde) Industry- scaled antibacterial
Fly repellant
In photography, formalin is used for
hardening gelatin layer and paper
Ingredients for urea fertilizer
Cosmetic preservative
Corrosion prevention for oil well
Used as a precursor to acetic acid
Used in the manufacture of resin
Used to produce polyvinyl acetate
Aldehyde Carbonyl, Ethanal Used in the manufacture of disinfectants,
C=O (acetaldehyde) perfumes, and drugs
Butanal Used in the manufacture of rubber
accelerators, synthetic resins, solvents,
and plasticizers
Ketone C=O, 2-propane Used to make plastic, fibers, and other
Carbonyl (acetone) chemicals
Used to dissolve other substances
Nail polish remover
Butanone Solvent for lacquer and other coatings and
as a paint remover
Used in the manufacture of textile, plastic,
and wax
Used as a cleaning degreasing agent.
Carboxylic Methanoic acid As a preservative and antibacterial agent
acid (formic acid) in livestock feed
First isolated Used in processing textiles and leather
from certain Used for cleaning, laundry, cooking, and
ants many other household uses.
Used as livestock silage to counter
bacterial and fungal growth.
Carboxylic Ethanoic acid Used for the manufacture of inks and dyes
acid and perfumes.
Used as an antiseptic against
pseudomonas, staphylococci, enterococci,
streptococci and others.
Used in cervical cancer screening.
used for the treatment of ear infections like
the growth of fungus and bacteria.
used in vinegar, which is used as a
condiment & in the pickling of raw
vegetables and other foods.
used to inhibit the growth of mold and
various bacteria.
used as a preservative for food (especially
bread and other baked goods as its
sodium or calcium salts).
Ester Ethyl Used as artificial fruit essences and aroma
ethanoate enhancers.
(ethyl acetate) artificial flavors for confectionery, ice
cream and cakes.
as a solvent in decaffeinating tea and
coffee.
used for varnishes and paints (nail
varnish remover).
for the manufacture of printing inks
used in a variety of coating formulations
such as epoxies, urethanes, cellulosic,
acrylics and vinyl's
used as a flavor enhancer in processed
Ethyl orange and pineapple juices in alcoholic
butanoate beverages
(fruity odor
similar to
pineapple)
Ether Ethoxyethane used as an anaesthetic
(diethyl ether) widely used as a solvent
used in the manufacture of perfumes and
flavors due to their pleasant odors
used as an aerosol propellant, as a
refrigerant, and as a blowing agent for the
production of some foams
also be used as a fuel in diesel engines
Methoxyethane
Amine
Amide Methanamide Used as a softener for paper and fiber
(formamide) Used as a solvent
Used in explosives
Used as a plasticizer
Used as a hygroscopic agent
Used to manufacture methylamine
Halo Carbon Refrigerants, aerosol propellants
