Carbon compounds — Chapter Summary

Carbon has atomic number 6

Carbon has atomic number 6 and electronic configuration 2,4, so it has 4 valence electrons. It becomes stable by sharing electrons, not by forming C4+

A covalent bond is formed when

A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share a pair of electrons. Most carbon compounds are covalent, so they usually have low melting and boiling p

Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen

Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen. Methane is the smallest hydrocarbon. Methane, ethane, and propane are saturated hydrocarbons called alk

Saturated compounds have only single bonds

Saturated compounds have only single bonds between carbon atoms. Unsaturated compounds have at least one double bond or triple bond. Generally, satura

Structural isomerism is the phenomenon

Structural isomerism is the phenomenon in which compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural formulae. n-butane and i-butane, bo