Question

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the huge number of carbon compounds we see around us?

Answer 1

Carbon form large number of compounds due to the following properties: 

(a) Catenation → Carbon shows the property of catenation that is the ability to form bonds with other carbon atoms forming long chains both branched and unbranched chains, and even rings.

(b) Tetravalency → Carbon has valency 4, it is capable of bonding with 4 other carbon atoms or atoms of other non-covalent elements, giving rise to compounds with specific properties depending on the elements present in the compound. 

(c) Isomerism → Carbon compounds show the property of isomerism that is compounds having same molecular formula but different structural formula.

Answer 2

(i) Catenation: Carbon has the unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of carbon, giving rise to large molecules. This property is called catenation. These compounds may have long chains of carbon, branched chains of carbon or even carbon atoms arranged in rings.

In addition, carbon atoms may be linked by single, double or triple bonds.
(ii) Tetravalency: Since carbon has a valency of four, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of carbon or atoms of some other monovalent elements. In order to satisfy, its tetravalency, carbon can form double or triple bonds with other C-atoms or with oxygen, nitrogen also. Compounds of carbon are formed with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine and many other elements giving rise to compounds with specific properties which depend on the elements other than carbon present in the molecule.