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WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF CARBON?
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol 'C' and atomic number' 6' which can occurs in the free state as well as in the combined state .In elemental form,carbon occurs in nature as diamond and graphite (the important allotropes of carbon). Another important allotrope of carbon is fullerene which is a molecular substance and can soluble in non polar organic solvents .
Properties of carbon :
(i) Carbon is hard .One of its variety (diamond) is the hardest material ,and has the highest melting and boiling points .Other elements are relatively soft and have low melting points .
(ii) Carbon shows maximum tendency for catenation .Other members except (Si) do not show catenation .
(iii) Carbon forms a large number of compounds containing C=C,
C= C,C=O,C=N,C=N and C=S functional groups are formed .
(iv)Tetrachloride of carbon (CCl4) does not undergo hydrolysis while tetrachlorides of other elements do so.
(v) Carbon shows no tendency to form complex ions ,while other members form definite complex ions



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