Overview of Carbon Compounds
Carbon is a chemical element that has the symbol C and atomic number 6. Carbon is one of the most widely found elements in nature and is used in a variety of compounds. This article will discuss the different types of carbon compounds and their characteristics.
Organic compounds are those which contain carbon. They are usually hydrocarbons and can be further divided into two categories: aliphatic and aromatic. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are linked together in branched or unbranched chains. Examples of aliphatic hydrocarbons are alkanes, alkenes and alkynes. Aromatic hydrocarbons are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in closed six-membered rings with alternating single and double bonds. Benzene is an example of an aromatic hydrocarbon.
Inorganic compounds are those that do not contain carbon, such as oxides and salts. Carbon dioxide is an example of an inorganic compound, as it does not contain carbon.
Carbon is also found in its elemental form, either in the form of graphite or diamond. Graphite is one of the allotropes of carbon, which means it is composed of pure carbon atoms that are linked together in a honeycomb lattice structure. This lattice structure makes graphite a good conductor of electricity and heat. It is also used as a lubricant and can be used to produce carbon paper. Diamond is another allotropes of carbon and is composed of carbon atoms linked together in an isometric lattice structure. This makes it one of the hardest and strongest materials known to exist.
Fullerenes are carbon compounds composed of carbon atoms joined together in a spheroidal shape. Not confined to just the sphere, fullerenes can take a variety of shapes, from hollow cages to tubes. They are named after Buckminster Fuller, who first proposed their existence. Fullerenes are also known as “buckyballs” or “buckytubes” and are used in various fields of research, such as nanotechnology and material science.
Carbon nanotubes are another type of carbon compound, which are composed of rolled graphene sheets. Graphene is a single layer of graphite and is an allotrope of carbon. The nanotubes can have a hollow or solid core and are incredibly strong, light and conductive. They are one of the strongest known materials and have a variety of applications, ranging from medical devices to electronic components.
In summary, carbon is found in a variety of compounds, both organic and inorganic. Organic compounds can be divided into aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, while inorganic compounds are usually oxides and salts. Carbon can also be found in its elemental form, either in the form of graphite or diamond. Fullerenes and carbon nanotubes are two other forms of carbon compounds which are used in a variety of research applications.
