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The term 'Catenation' is used to define a unique property of carbon. Which of the following gives the correct definition of catenation?
Unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of hydrogen.
Unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of carbon.
Unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of oxygen.
Unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of nitrogen.
Unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of carbon.
Catenation is the unique ability of an element to form stable, long-chain covalent bonds with atoms of the same element. In chemistry, carbon exhibits this property most extensively due to the high bond energy of its C-C bond.
Catenation is the unique ability of an element to form stable, long-chain covalent bonds with atoms of the same element. In chemistry, carbon exhibits this property most extensively due to the high bond energy of its C-C bond.
Think of catenation like playing with a set of modular building blocks or magnetic snap-beads that can be connected infinitely to create long, complex structures.
ECтИТCтАЛтЙИ348kJ/mol тАФ Representative bond dissociation energy of a carbon-carbon single bond
Carbon atoms can link together through single, double, or triple covalent bonds to form straight chains, branched chains, or ring structures. This phenomenon occurs because the C-C bond is exceptionally strong and stable, and carbon's small atomic size allows for effective orbital overlap.
Carbon has the highest tendency for catenation among all elements in the periodic table.
Silicon also shows catenation but to a much lesser extent than carbon.
Catenation is the fundamental reason behind the existence of millions of organic compounds.
Allows for the synthesis of diverse and complex organic molecules
Essential for the formation of polymers, proteins, and DNA
Large, complex organic molecules can be susceptible to thermal degradation
Formation of hydrocarbons
Synthesis of polymers like polyethylene and biological macromolecules
Option A is incorrect as hydrogen is univalent and cannot form long chains.
Option C and D are incorrect as oxygen and nitrogen have lone pairs that cause inter-electronic repulsion, reducing the stability of long catenated chains compared to carbon.
B is correct тАФ Catenation is the property by which carbon atoms form covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to create stable, extensive chains and rings.
Remember that while elements like Sulfur and Silicon also show catenation, carbon's ability is unique due to the exceptionally high bond energy of the C-C bond compared to other elements.