Question

Elements forming ionic compounds attain noble gas electronic configuration by either gaining or losing electrons from their valence shells. Explain giving reason why carbon cannot attain such a configuration in this manner to form its compounds. Name the type of bonds formed in ionic compounds and in the compounds formed by carbon. Also explain with reason why carbon compounds are generally poor conductors of electricity.

Answer 1

Carbon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell. It cannot lose 4 electrons to form C⁴⁺ cation because very high energy is required to remove 4 electrons leaving behind a carbon cation with 6 protons in this nucleus holding onto just 2 electrons. It also cannot gain 4 electrons to form C^4- anion because it is difficult for 6 protons to hold onto 10 electrons. The type of bonds formed in ionic compounds are ionic or electrovalent bonds and in compounds formed by carbon are covalent bonds. 

Since the electrons are shared, there are no charged particles in carbon compounds and hence they are poor conductors of electricity.