S2 Chemistry Notes Carbon and Its Compounds
S2 Chemistry Notes Carbon and Its Compounds
S2 Chemistry Notes Carbon and Its Compounds
Carbon is an element in period II and group IV in the periodic table. It has atomic
number of six.
Occurrence of carbon
Carbon occurs in both free states and combined states. In combined states, it occurs
as coal, mineral oils, carbonates (e.g. lime stone, marble and sea shells) and all living
things (animals and plants). As an element it occurs in both natural (as diamond and
graphite) and synthetic forms (as coke, charcoal and carbon fiber).
Allotropes of carbon
Allotropes are various forms in which elements exist without change in physical state.
Different allotropes of the same element always have different crystalline structures
and physical properties but the same chemical properties.
Allotropes of carbon are: diamond and graphite. Another form of carbon is amorphous
carbon.
Diamond
In diamond, the structure consists of infinite number of carbon atoms. Each of the
carbon atoms is joined to four other carbon atoms by covalent bonds resulting into a
tetrahedral arrangement. This gives a diamond crystal a giant three dimensional
structure. Diamond has no mobile electrons so cannot conduct electricity.
Structure of diamond
Carbon atom
Uses of diamond
1. Diamond is very hard and used as drilling devices, rock borers and glass cutters.
2. Diamond is used jewellery because its sparkling appearance.
Graphite
Graphite consists of infinite number of carbon atoms each covalently bonded to three
other carbon atoms forming hexagonal rings that are arranged in layers. Each layer is
a giant two dimensional structure. The different layers are held by weak Vander Waal‘s
forces of attraction, making them to slide over each other thus they are slippery and
soft. Some electrons in a layer are mobile making them to conduct electricity.
Structure of graphite
Covalent bond
Upper layer of hexagonal
rings Weak Vander Waal’s force
of attraction
Graphite consists of infinite number of carbon atoms each covalently bonded to three
other carbon atoms forming hexagonal rings that are arranged in layers. Each layer is
a giant two dimensional structure. The different layers are held by weak Vander Waal‘s
forces of attraction, making them to slide over each other thus they are slippery and
soft. Some electrons in a layer are mobile making them to conduct electricity.
Graphite is less resistant to chemical attack than diamond because of the open spaces
between the layers. The density of graphite is 2.3g/cm3
Uses of graphite
1. Graphite is soft and can mark there fore used to make pencil ―leads‖. Graphite is
mixed with clay to make pencil leads.
2. Graphite is a good conductor of electricity and thus used as electrodes.
3. It is soft and greasy, therefore used as lubricants especially in small bearings like
those in dynamos.
4. Graphite is used to make brushes for electric motors.
5. Graphite (black lead) is used as a protective coating on iron to prevent rusting.
When 1g of both diamond and graphite burns in oxygen, they form 3.67g of carbon
dioxide only. This shows that they are allotropes.
Carbon burns is excess oxygen to for carbon dioxide gas. In the process great heat is
generated.
In region B, ascending carbon dioxide is reduced by red hot coke to carbon monoxide.
At the surface, the hot carbon monoxide burns in air to form carbon dioxide with a
flickering blue flame.
Laboratory preparation
This can be done by the action of concentrated sulphuric acid on any of the following
compounds.
1. Methanoic acid (HCOOH)
Concentrated sulphuric acid is a very strong dehydrating agent and removes water
from methanoic acid forming carbon monoxide and water.
Conc. H2SO4
HCOOH(l) CO(g) + H 2O(l)
No heating is required.
Equation
Conc. H2SO4
H2C2O4(s) CO2(g)+CO(g)+H2O(l)
In this preparation, the products formed are passed through concentrated potassium
hydroxide solution to remove traces of carbon dioxide.
Chemical properties
a) Reaction with air
Carbon dioxide burns in air with a pale blue flame to produce carbon dioxide.
Haemoglobin has a higher affinity for carbon monoxide than oxygen. Carbon monoxide
is even more dangerous because it has no colour and smell.
Carbon dioxide occurs in air and occupies 0.03% by volume. Carbon dioxide forms
from rocks as a result of volcanic eruption; occurs in mines as ―choke damp‖ and it is
always present in natural drinking water because it is slightly soluble in it.
Set up of apparatus
Arrange the apparatus as shown above with the calcium carbonate in the flask. Run
dilute hydrochloric acid in to the flask through a funnel.
Observation
Effervescence occurs as a colorless gas is given off.
Equation
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
Ionic equation
(aq) + 2 (aq) CO2(g) + H2O(l)
The gas may be collected over water as it is only slightly soluble in water. If the gas is
required dry, it is collected by down ward delivery method.
If a pure dry sample of carbon dioxide is require, the gas is first passed through a
wash bottle containing concentrated solution of potassium hydrogen carbonate to
remove traces of hydrogen chloride gas (water placed in a wash bottle can also be
used). It is then passed through a U tube containing fused calcium chloride to dry the
gas. The gas is then collected by down ward delivery method since it is denser than
air.
Air
Carbon dioxide
Burning candle
It turns moist blue litmus paper pink indicating that it is weakly acidic.
Chemical properties
1. Carbon dioxide does not support burning. However when a piece of burning
magnesium is lowered into a gas jar of carbon dioxide, it continues to burn forming
black specks of carbon mixed with white solids of magnesium oxide.
2. Carbon dioxide turns lime water (calcium hydroxide) milky. This is due to the
formation of insoluble calcium carbonate (white precipitates)
This reaction is sometimes used to remove carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases.
However, when excess carbon dioxide is bubbled through the above solution, white
precipitates appear due to formation of insoluble sodium hydrogen carbonate.
N.B. Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with calcium carbonate and lead (II) carbonate at a
very slow rate as the resulting salts formed (calcium sulphate and lead(II) sulphate)
are insoluble and therefore tend to form coatings around the carbonates inhibiting
further reactions between the carbonates and the acid.
The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and lead (II) carbonate also forms an
insoluble salt (lead (II) chloride) which also forms coating stopping further reactions.
Dilute nitric acid reacts with all carbonates to form soluble nitrate salts.
N.B. Sometimes barium nitrate solution or barium chloride solution may be used in
place of lead (II) nitrate solution.
Sodium carbonate
Procedure
- Bubble carbon dioxide through a fairly concentrated sodium hydroxide solution
until in excess. White precipitate of sodium hydrogen carbonate is formed
according to the equation below
Very concentrated brine (28% sodium chloride) is saturated with ammonia gas in a
tower to form ammonia gas in a tower to form ammoniacal brine. The ammoniacal
brine is run downwards from the top of the tower while carbon dioxide (formed from
decomposition of calcium carbonate) is forced to rise up the tower from the base of the
tower.
The tower is fitted with perforated mushroom shaped baffles at intervals that delay the
flow of ammoniacal brine and also offer surface for the reaction.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is filtered from the white sludge at the base of the tower
and washed to remove ammonium compounds. The sodium hydrogen carbonate is the
heated to form sodium carbonate.
Ammoniacal brine
Sodium hydrogencarbonate
Carbon dioxide
Suspension of sodium hydrogen
If crystalline form (washing soda) is required, the anhydrous solid is dissolved in hot
water, crystallization takes place as the solution cools. The crystals are removed and
allowed to dry.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is added from: respiration of plants and animals;
decay/ decomposition of plants and animals; heating of lime stone (to give quick lime)
in lime kilns; water (if the percentage in air drops); and combustion of coal (formed as
a result of slow decomposition of plants and animals over millions of years), petroleum
oil and natural gas.
The processes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are: photosynthesis by
green plants; and dissolution in water.
Animals obtain carbon from plants by feeding on food such as starch made by plants..
When more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, much heat
accumulates and this leads to general rise in temperature of the world. The
general rise in temperature of the world is known as global warming.
Sample questions
1. (a) Draw a labeled diagram of the set-up of the apparatus that can be used
to prepare a dry sample of carbon dioxide in the laboratory
(b) Write an equation that leads to the formation of carbon dioxide
(c) Write an ionic equation for the reaction leading to the formation of carbon
dioxide
6. (a) State what would be observed if sodium carbonate solution was added
to:
7. A mixture containing copper (II) sulphate and copper (II) carbonate was
shaken with water and filtered.
(a) Identify the residue.
(b) To the residue was added dilute sulphuric acid.
(i) State what was observed.
(ii) Write the equation for the reaction.
8. (a) Zinc carbonate was strongly heated in a test-tube until no further
change.
(i) State what was observed.
(ii) Write the equation for the reaction which took place.
(b) The residue formed in (a) above was added to dilute sulphuric acid and
heated.
(i) Write the equation for the reaction.
(ii) State what was observed.
10. (a) Name two common reagents used in the laboratory preparation of
carbon dioxide.
(b) State what is observed when carbon dioxide is bubbled in fairly
concentrated sodium hydroxide solution for some time.
(c) Write the equation(s) of the reaction(s) that take(s) place.
12. Carbon monoxide was passed over strongly heated copper (II) oxide.
(i) State what was observed.
(ii) Write the equation for the reaction.
(iii) Name any other oxide that shows similar reaction with carbon monoxide.
13. (a) Draw a well labeled diagram for preparation of sodium carbonate in the
laboratory.
(b) (i) What is observed when washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O) is exposed to
atmosphere for some time.
14. (a) Copper (II) carbonate was heated strongly until there was no further
change.
(i) State what was observed.
(ii) Write an equation for the reaction.
(iii) Name one reagent which can be used to identify the gaseous product.
(b) Excess dilute sulphuric acid was added to the residue in (a) and the mixture
warmed.
(i) State what was observed.
(ii) Write an equation for the reaction.
15. (a) (i) How can calcium oxide (quicklime) be obtained on large scale?
Diagram not required.
(ii) Write equation for the reaction that occurs.
(b) (i) What would be observed when fresh calcium oxide is added to water in a
beaker?
(ii) Write equation for the reaction that would occur.
(c) Dilute hydrochloric acid was added to calcium oxide.
(i) State what is observed.
(ii) Write the equation for the reaction that occurs.