SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025
Self-Paced Course
Carbon and Its Compounds
Reference: NCERT Class 10, Lucent GK
1. Organic vs Inorganic Chemistry
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Chemistry | Study of carbon compounds (except CO, CO₂, carbonates, etc.), mainly with C–H bonds | CH₄ (methane), C₂H₆, C₆H₁₂O₆ |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Study of all other elements and compounds not primarily based on C–H bonds | CO₂, NaCl, CaCO₃ |
Organic compounds form the basis of life — proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, fuels, etc.
2. Hydrocarbons: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes
Hydrocarbons: Compounds made of only carbon and hydrogen.
| Type | Bond Type | General Formula | Saturation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkanes | Only single bonds | CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ | Saturated | Methane (CH₄), Ethane (C₂H₆) |
| Alkenes | At least one double bond | CₙH₂ₙ | Unsaturated | Ethene (C₂H₄), Propene (C₃H₆) |
| Alkynes | At least one triple bond | CₙH₂ₙ₋₂ | Unsaturated | Ethyne (C₂H₂), Propyne (C₃H₄) |
Saturated hydrocarbons = less reactive
Unsaturated hydrocarbons = more reactive due to multiple bonds
3. Functional Groups (Basic Introduction)
| Group | Functional Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | –OH | Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) |
| Carboxylic Acid | –COOH | Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH) |
| Aldehyde | –CHO | Formaldehyde (HCHO) |
| Ketone | –CO– | Acetone (CH₃COCH₃) |
| Halogen Group | –X (F, Cl, Br, I) | Chloroethane (C₂H₅Cl) |
🔹 These groups decide chemical properties and classification of compounds.
4. Homologous Series
A group of organic compounds with same functional group and successive members differ by –CH₂– unit.
Show gradual change in physical properties, but similar chemical properties.
Examples:
- Methane (CH₄), Ethane (C₂H₆), Propane (C₃H₈) — Alkanes
- Alcohols: CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, C₃H₇OH
5. Nomenclature Basics (IUPAC Names)
Names are based on number of carbon atoms and functional group.
| No. of Carbon Atoms | Prefix | Example Alkane | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meth- | Methane | CH₄ |
| 2 | Eth- | Ethane | C₂H₆ |
| 3 | Prop- | Propane | C₃H₈ |
| 4 | But- | Butane | C₄H₁₀ |
| 5 | Pent- | Pentane | C₅H₁₂ |
6. Important Reactions (For SSC CGL)
| Reaction Type | Example | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Combustion | CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O CH₄ + O₂ (limited) → CO + C |
Complete combustion (clean
fuel) Incomplete → CO, soot, less heat |
| Oxidation | Ethanol + [O] → Ethanoic Acid | Common question (Alcohol → Acid) |
| Addition | C₂H₄ + H₂ → C₂H₆ | Unsaturated to saturated |
| Substitution | CH₄ + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + HCl (Sunlight) | Alkane reaction (common example) |
7. Uses of Carbon Compounds
| Compound Type | Common Examples | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Fuels | Methane, Butane, Petrol | Cooking (LPG), transportation |
| Alcohols | Ethanol, Methanol | Sanitizers, fuel blending, solvents |
| Carboxylic Acids | Acetic Acid (Vinegar) | Food preservative, flavoring |
| Plastics/Polymers | PVC, Polyethylene | Pipes, containers, packaging |
| Detergents/Soaps | SLS, Sodium stearate | Cleaning, hygiene |
| Dyes/Medicines | Organic dyes, Aspirin | Textiles, pharmaceutical industry |
| Explosives | TNT | Mining, defense |
8. Allotropes of Carbon
| Allotrope | Structure | Properties / Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | Tetrahedral (3D) | Hardest, cutting tools, jewellery |
| Graphite | Layered (Hexagonal) | Conducts electricity, used in electrodes |
| Fullerene (C₆₀) | Football-like (spherical) | Used in nanotech, lubricants, drug delivery |
Quick Facts & Revision Points
- • Carbon shows tetravalency (forms 4 bonds) and catenation (C–C bonding), enabling millions of compounds
- • Isomerism: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas (e.g., C₄H₁₀: n-butane, isobutane)
- • Carbon Dating: Uses Carbon-14 isotope to estimate age of fossils
- • Vital Force Theory: Disproved idea that organic compounds could only come from living organisms
- • Soaps are sodium salts of fatty acids; detergents are synthetic and work in hard water
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