Carbon has the unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of carbon, giving rise to large molecules. This property is called _____.

The correct answer is Catenation.

Key Points

• Catenation is the ability of an element to form bonds with other atoms of the same element, leading to the formation of chains or rings.
• Carbon exhibits the highest degree of catenation due to its tetravalency, which allows it to form four covalent bonds simultaneously.
• Due to catenation, carbon can form a wide variety of compounds, including long chains, branched chains, and complex ring structures.
• This property is essential for the formation of complex organic molecules, such as proteins, DNA, and synthetic polymers.

Additional Information

• Polymerisation:
  • The process by which small molecules, known as monomers, join together to form a large molecule, or polymer.
  • Examples include the formation of polyethylene from ethylene and the creation of proteins from amino acids.
• Cyclisation:
  • A chemical reaction in which a linear molecule forms a ring structure.
  • Cyclisation is crucial in forming many biological molecules, such as carbohydrates and nucleic acids.
• Metallic Bonding:
  • A type of chemical bonding that arises from the attraction between metal atoms and the surrounding sea of electrons.
  • It explains many properties of metals, including electrical conductivity and malleability.
• Allotropes of Carbon:
  • Carbon exhibits various allotropes due to its catenation property, including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerenes.
  • Each allotrope has distinct physical properties due to different arrangements of carbon atoms.