Question

What are Carbides $?$ What are different types of Carbides $?$ Give examples of each type.

Answer 1

Hint: Carbides as the name suggests these are the compounds of carbon. These compounds contain carbon and a less electronegative atom. They are classified on the basis that the bond is present in between the atoms. If ionic bonds are present then they are called ionic carbides.

Complete answer:
Carbon is the important element of organic compounds. All organic compounds must contain carbon in it. But what if carbon starts making bonds with metals and non-metals. In organic compounds carbon makes covalent bonds with other compounds. But what if carbon makes ionic bonds?
Therefore carbide is a class of compounds in which carbon makes bonds with any metal or semimetals. Carbides are prepared when carbon makes a bond with a similar or lower electronegativity element. Carbides can be prepared by direct combination with lower electronegative elements at high temperature. Also it can be formed by reacting carbides with metal oxides.
Based on the bond formation and crystal structure carbides can be classified into following types:
$SiC$ Ionic Carbides: When carbon makes a bond with the highly electropositive metals like the metals of the first and second group, then the carbides formed are called ionic carbides.
For example: $Ca{C}_2\text{ , Be}{\text{C}}_2$
$b.$ Interstitial Carbides: Interstitial carbides are formed with the transition metal elements generally. In these carbides the interstitial sites of the large transition elements act as host sites for the carbon atoms.
For example: $ZrC\text{ , VC}$
$c.$ Covalent Carbides: These carbides are formed with the elements of similar electronegativity as that of carbon. Thus these carbides are formed with boron and silicon. Here the covalent bond is formed between the carbon and the element.
For example: $SiC$

Note:
Carbides are generally formed at high temperature and high pressure. Interstitial carbides are formed with the compounds having interstitial sites. The electronegativity of other elements must be similar or lower than carbon. $SiC$ is also called carborundum.