b) A double bond and two single covalent bonds C=C )
c) A single covalent bond and a triple bond (-C=C), or two double bonds (CCC) with its own atoms or atoms of other elements -- to satisfy its tetravalency.
This ability of carbon to form bonds in so many ways made it as versatile element in nature. Hence, carbon's ability 1) to form largest number of compounds 2) to show catenation 3) to form various types of bonds made it the versatile element.
Hydrocarbons
What are hydrocarbons?
The compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen in their molecules are called hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are classified into two categories known as open chain
hydrocarbons and closed chain hydrocarbons. Open chain hydrocarbons are also called aliphatic hydrocarbons or acyclic hydrocarbons.
Open and closed chain hydrocarbons Let us observe the following structural formulae of different
hydrocarbons.
Do all the above compounds have equal number of C and H atoms? In the first example you will notice that all carbons are linked to one another resulting a linear structure, where as in the second example four carbons are linked in linear way and the fifth carbon is linked to the parent chain resulting a branch. In the third example we find that carbon chain is closed to form a ring. So, it is a closed chain hydrocarbon or ring hydrocarbon.
All hydrocarbons (both Aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons) are again
classified as Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes:
1) Hydrocarbons containing only single bonds between carbon atoms are called Alkanes. (C-C)
2) Hydrocarbons containing atleast one double bond between carbon
