Carbon and its compounds

Chemical properties of carbon

All allotropes of carbon have similar chemical properties but different physical properties.
a) Reaction with oxygen
When carbon is burnt in excess pure oxygen, carbon dioxide is formed.
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
When carbon is burnt in limited supply of oxygen, carbon monoxide is formed.
2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g)

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b) Reaction with oxides of metals
K
Na
Ca Oxides of these metals are not reduced by carbon.
Mg
Al
(C)

}
Zn
Fe
Pb Oxides of these metals are reduced by carbon to a metal.
Cu
Hg
}
Ag Oxides of these metals are decomposed on heating before they react with carbon.

Carbon reduces oxides of metals that are lower than it in the activity series. Such oxides include copper(II)
oxide, zinc oxide, lead(II) oxide and iron(III) oxide. All these are reduced to free metal while carbon is
oxidised to carbon dioxide. The reaction requires heating the mixture of carbon and the metallic oxide.
2CuO(s) + C(s) → 2Cu(s) + CO2(g)
2Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 4Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
This reaction is used in extraction of the metals. Those metals higher in reactivity series than carbon
have a higher affinity for oxygen and will not give it up to carbon.
MgO(s) + C(s) → No reaction

Carbon dioxide
Laboratory preparation of carbon dioxide

dilute
hydrochloric acid
tap
cardboard cover

carbon dioxide

flat-bottomed gas-jar
flask
calcium carbonate

water concentrated
sulphuric acid

Using a dropping funnel, dilute hydrochloric acid is added to calcium carbonate in a flat-bottomed flask
fitted with a delivery tube.
 CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
2-
Ionically: CO3 (s) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Effervescence occurs and a colourless gas, which is carbon dioxide, is passed through a bottle containing
water or potassium hydrogencarbonate solution to absorb any fumes of hydrochloric acid. It is then passed
through concentrated sulphuric acid to remove any moisture thus drying it. Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas
and therefore it does not react with the drying agent. The gas is collected by downward delivery in a gas-jar
since the gas is denser than air.
If the gas is not required dry it can be collected over water since carbon dioxide is only slightly soluble in
water.
Note:
Dilute sulphuric acid is not used with calcium carbonate because the reaction produces calcium sulphate
which is sparingly soluble and thus forms a coating on the calcium carbonate which stops further reaction.
CaCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → CaSO4(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Lead(II) carbonate is also not used because when it reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid,
the reaction soon slows down and then stops. This is due to the formation of lead(II) chloride or lead(II)
sulphate, both of which are insoluble salts. The insoluble salt coats the carbonate preventing it from reacting
with the acid.
PbCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → PbCl2(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
PbCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → PbSO4(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

Industrial preparation of carbon dioxide

In industries, carbon dioxide is obtained as a by-product of fermentation of sugars to alcohol.
C6H12O6(aq) → 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)

Properties of carbon dioxide

Physical properties
1 It is slightly soluble in water forming carbonic acid.
H2O(l) + CO2(g) H2CO3(aq)
2 It turns litmus pink since it is a weak acidic gas.
3 It is a colourless gas.
4 It is denser than air.

Chemical properties
(a) Effect of carbon dioxide on burning magnesium
When a piece of burning magnesium ribbon is lowered into a gas-jar containing carbon dioxide, it
continues to burn for a short time with a spluttering flame. Black particles of carbon are formed on the
sides of the gas-jar and white ash of magnesium oxide is also formed.
2Mg(s) + CO2(g) → 2MgO(s) + C(s)
The heat from the burning magnesium decomposes carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen. The
decomposition of carbon dioxide provides more oxygen which supports continued burning of
magnesium to form magnesium oxide.
 a pair of tongs

burning magnesium
ribbon

carbon dioxide

(b) Effect of carbon dioxide on calcium hydroxide solution (lime-water)

When carbon dioxide is bubbled through calcium hydroxide solution , a white precipitate is formed.
The white precipitate is due to the formation of an insoluble substance, calcium carbonate, in water.
Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
The above test is used to distinguish carbon dioxide from any other gas.

However, if more carbon dioxide is bubbled through the white precipitate, the precipitate dissolves to
form a colourless solution due to the formation of calcium hydrogencarbonate, which is soluble in water.
CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)
calcium
hydroxide
solution

carbonate and
dilute acid

(c) Reaction with alkalis

Sodium hydroxide solution readily absorbs carbon dioxide to produce sodium carbonate.
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
With excess carbon dioxide, a white precipitate of sodium hydrogencarbonate is formed. The precipitate
is sparingly soluble in cold water.
Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) → 2NaHCO3(s)
When solid sodium hydroxide is exposed to air, a colourless solution is formed and later a white
crystalline solid is formed. Sodium hydroxide is deliquescent and therefore absorbs water from air to
form a solution. The solution absorbs carbon dioxide from air forming a white crystalline solid of sodium
carbonate.
decahydrate.
2NaOH(s) + CO2(s) + 9H2O(l) → Na2CO3.10H2O(s)

Uses of carbon dioxide

1 Carbon dioxide is used in the manufacture of carbonated drinks. Solutions of carbon dioxide in water
have a refreshing taste (pleasant taste).
2 Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerating agent.
3 Carbon dioxide is used in fire extinguishers.
5 Carbon dioxide is used in baking.

Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colourless gas with practically no smell. It is formed by the partial
combustion of carbon.
2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g)

Properties of carbon monoxide

1 It is a colourless gas.
2 It has no effect on litmus paper, that is, it is a neutral gas.
3 It burns in air with a blue flame forming carbon dioxide.
2CO(g) + O2(g) → 2CO2(g)
4 It is insoluble in water.
5 It is a reducing agent. It reduces some metallic oxides of copper, lead, zinc and iron, that is, oxides of
metals below carbon in activity series. The porcelain boat is heated strongly and the excess carbon
monoxide is lighted at the jet.
copper(II) oxide
combustion tube

carbon monoxide
excess
carbon monoxide
burning
heat
clamp

CuO(s) + CO(g) → Cu(s) + CO2(g)

(black) (brown)
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
(red-brown) (grey)
ZnO(s) + CO(g) → Zn(s) + CO2(g)
(white) (grey)
PbO(s) + CO(g) → Pb(s) + CO2(g)
Lead(II) oxide (yellow) is reduced to grey globules. Carbon monoxide does not, however, reduce the
oxides of metals higher than carbon in the reactivity series. Such metals have a higher affinity for
oxygen than carbon monoxide.
MgO(s) + CO(g) → No reaction

Uses of carbon monoxide

1 In the manufacture of synthetic petrol
2 In the reduction of ores and refining of nickel.

The effect of carbon monoxide on environment.

Carbon monoxide is poisonous because it forms a fairly stable compound with haemoglobin which reduces
the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Carbonates
Effects of heat on carbonates
Carbonates of potassium and sodium are not decomposed by heat. Carbonates of calcium, magnesium,
zinc, iron, lead and copper are decomposed by heat to an oxide and carbon dioxide.

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When a white solid of lead(II) carbonate is heated strongly in a test-tube, a brown residue that turned to a
yellow solid on cooling is formed.
PbCO3(s) → PbO(s) + CO2(g)
When a green solid of copper(II) carbonate is heated, a black residue of copper(II) oxide is formed.
CuCO3(s) → CuO(s) + CO2(g)
When a white solid of zinc carbonate is strongly heated, a yellow residue that turned to a white solid on
cooling is formed.
ZnCO3(s) → ZnO(s) + CO2(g)
Magnesium and calcium carbonates (white) decompose to magnesium and calcium oxides (white) and
carbon dioxide. Therefore, there is no observable change.
MgCO3(s) → MgO(s) + CO2(g)
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Ammonium carbonate sublimes when heated. The cause of this sublimation is that ammonium carbonate
dissociates on heating to ammonia, water and carbon dioxide, which recombine on cooling.
(NH4)2CO3(s) 2NH3(g) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
-
Testing for carbonate (CO32 )
Add dilute nitric acid to the solution or solid to be tested. Effervescence (bubbles) of a colourless gas
that forms a white precipitate with calcium hydroxide solution (lime-water) indicates the presence of a
carbonate ion.
2-
CO3 (s or aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)
In qualitative analysis, identification tests for carbonate ions can be carried out as follows.
Test Observations Deductions
(a) Heat a spatula endfull of Green solid. Colourelss gas CO2 given off \ CO32-
P strongly in a dry test- which turned damp blue litmus present. Residue is CuO or
tube. paper red and lime-water milky. Cu2+ present.
Black residue.

(b) To one spatula endful Green solid dissolved in acid.

CO2 given off \ CO32-
of P add 4 cm3 of dilute Bubbles or effervescence of a
confirmed. Cu2+ present.
nitric acid. colourless gas which turned
damp blue litmus paper red
and lime-water milky. A blue
solution.

Exercise
Complete the following table.

Test Observations Deductions

(a) Heat a spatula endfull of White solid. Colourless gas
X strongly in a dry test- which turned damp blue litmus
tube. paper red and lime-water milky.
Brown residue that turned to
yellow solid.
(b)(i) Heat a spatula endfull White solid. Colourless gas
of Z strongly in a dry which turned damp blue litmus
test-tube. paper red and lime-water milky.
Yellow residue that turned to
white solid.

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 (ii) To one spatula endful A white solid dissolved in acid.
of Z add 4 cm3 of dilute Bubbles or effervescence of a
nitric acid. colourless gas which turned
damp blue litmus paper red and
lime-water milky. Colourless
solution.

Sodium carbonate (soda ash)

Laboratory preparation of sodium carbonate
Using a dropping funnel, dilute hydrochloric acid is poured on to calcium carbonate in a flat-bottomed flask
fitted with a delivery tube. Effervescence occurs and the gas (carbon dioxide) produced is passed through water
to remove traces of acid.
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
2-
Ionically: CO3 (s) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Then carbon dioxide is passed into a moderately concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide for sometime until
finally a white precipitate of sodium hydrogencarbonate appears.
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) (1st stage)
Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) → 2NaHCO3(s) (2nd stage)
dilute
hydrochloric acid

tap

sodium hydroxide
solution
flat-bottomed water
ice-water cooling
flask
calcium sodium hydrogen-
carbonate carbonate precipitate

The white precipitate is filtered off and washed two or three times with cold water. The solid is transferred into
a dish and heated to a constant mass. Sodium carbonate is obtained as a fine white powder.
2NaHCO3(s) → Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Uses of sodium carbonate

1 It is used for softening of water for domestic purpose.
2 It is used in manufacture of glass.
3 It is used to make dry soap powders.

Washing soda
Washing soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3.10H2O). When exposed to air, the crystals lose mass
and become coated with a fine white powder. Each molecule of washing soda gives up, to the atmosphere, nine
molecules of water of crystallization forming sodium carbonate monohydrate (Na2CO3.H2O).
Na2CO3.10H2O(s) → Na2CO3.H2O(s) + 9H2O(l)
Such an action, that is, the giving up of water of crystallization to the atmosphere is termed as efflorescence.
Washing soda is used for softening water by precipitating the calcium ions from solution as calcium carbonate.
2+ 2-
Ca (aq) + CO3 (aq) → CaCO3(s)

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Hydrogencarbonates

Action of heat on sodium hydrogencarbonate

When sodium hydrogencarbonate (white) is heated in a test-tube, a colourless gas that forms a white precipitate
with calcium hydroxide solution (lime-water) is given off and a colourless liquid (water) is seen to condense on
the cooler parts of the test-tube. A white residue is observed.
2NaHCO3(s) → Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

lime-water

heat
sodium
hydrogencarbonate

Distinguishing between a carbonate and hydrogencarbonate

A carbonate ion can be distinguished from hydrogencarbonate ion by adding magnesium sulphate or magnesium
chloride solution separately to their solutions in water. A white precipitate indicates the presence of a carbonate
ion. With hydrogencarbonate ion, there is no observasable change.
2-
Mg2+(aq) + CO3 (aq) → MgCO3(s)
2+ -
Mg (aq) + 2HCO3 (aq) → Mg(HCO3)2(aq)
However, on heating the solution of magnesium hydrogencarbonate, a white precipitate is formed. This is
because the magnesium hydrogencarbonate decomposes to the insoluble magnesium carbonate.
Mg(HCO3)2(aq) → MgCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Carbon cycle
Carbon cycle describes the processes that increase or decrease the carbon dioxide concentration in the
environment (atmosphere).
Atmospheric carbon dioxide is used by green plants to synthesize glucose through a process called photosynthesis.
Glucose in cells of both plants and animals is oxidised to obtain energy through a process called respiration.
During this process, carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product which is released to the atmosphere.

When animals and plants die they undergo decomposition. During this process, the organic matter is broken
down by micro-organisms and some of carbon compounds are converted to carbon dioxide. When these fuels
are burnt, a process called combustion, the carbon compounds are oxidised to carbon dioxide.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be reduced by planting more trees, which use the
gas in photosynthesis, and by burning less fossil fuels.

Iron
The main iron ores are haematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), iron disulphide (pyrites, FeS2) and spathic iron ore
(FeCO3).

Extraction of iron
The ore is first mixed with coke and limestone and the mixture is fed into the blast furnace from the top of
the furnace. Hot air is blown into the furnace at the bottom which comes into contact with the red hot coke,
producing carbon dioxide.
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
Higher up the furnace, the source of oxygen is less and more coke combines with carbon dioxide produced to
page 7
form carbon monoxide.
C(s) + CO2(g) → 2CO(g)
Carbon monoxide produced reduces the iron oxides to molten iron.
Fe3O4(s) + 4CO(g) 3Fe(l) + 4CO2(g)
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(l) + 3CO2(g)
Molten iron runs to the bottom of the furnace and is tapped off into moulds where it is solidified. Limestone is
decomposed by heat to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
The iron contains impurities such as silicon dioxide (sand), which combine with calcium oxide to form a molten
slag that floats on top of the molten iron and it is tapped off.
CaO(s) + SiO2(s) → CaSiO3(l)
The waste gases, mainly nitrogen and oxides of carbon, escape from the top of the furnace. Slag is used in
making road foundations, phosphorus fertilizers and cement.
waste gases to heat up incoming air

iron ore, coke and limestone

Fe3O4(s) + 4CO(g) 3Fe(s) + 4CO2(g)

CO2(g) + C(s) 2CO(g)
C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g)
hot air

slag tapped here

iron tapped here

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