Question

There is a large number of carbon compounds due to:
(A) Tetravalency of carbon
(B) Strong catenation property of carbon
(C) Allotropic property of carbon
(D) Non-metallic character of carbon

Answer 1

Hint: The self-linking of atoms of an element to form chains and rings is responsible for the formation of a large number of compounds. This property is present only in certain elements such as carbon, sulphur, silicon and boron.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Catenation can be defined as the bonding of atoms of the same element into a series which is called a chain. Carbon can easily perform catenation that forms covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to form longer chains and higher mass structures. This is the reason for the presence of the vast number of organic compounds made of carbon in nature.
Carbon is best known for its catenation properties, due to the analysis of catenated carbon structures in organic chemistry. All the elements of the carbon family can show this property but carbon shows most, so the tendency decreases down the group.
This happens because the atomic size of an element increases down the group resulting in the decrease of strength of the covalent bond and small atomic size hence less diffuse orbital. Therefore, the catenation property decreases down the group.
Carbon can form four single covalent bonds due to its tetravalency. It can also form a double bond (C=C) and two single bonds and also a triple bond with its own atom. This versatile nature of carbon results in a large number of carbon compounds.

Hence, the correct options are (A) and (B).

Note: The carbon-carbon atoms bond energy is very high in all the three cases, single bonds, double and triple bonds. Due to this reason, carbon has a higher tendency to form multiple bonds and chains with its own atoms, showing catenation properties.