Chemical Properties

A chemical property is a property that describes a substance’s ability to undergo a specific chemical
change. We look for a chemical shift to identify a chemical attribute. A chemical change always
results in the formation of one or more types of matter that are distinct from the matter that existed
before the change.

Combustion Reactions

Combustion means the burning of carbon or carbon-containing compounds in the presence of air or
oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, heat and light.

2CH3OH + 3O2 → 4H2O + 2CO2

For example,

Naphthalene also undergoes combustion in the presence of oxygen to afford carbon dioxide gas and
water. The chemical equation for this reaction is as follows.

12O2 + C10H8 → 4H2O + 10CO2

Flame Characteristics

Saturated hydrocarbons give a clean flame, while unsaturated hydrocarbons give a smoky flame. In
the presence of limited oxygen, even saturated hydrocarbons give smoky flame.

A black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine
particles and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke especially: the fine
powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colours smoke called soot.

Oxidation

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs in an atom or compound and results in the loss of one or
more electrons.

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Addition
The reactions in which two molecules react to form a single product having all the atoms of the
combining molecules are called addition reactions.

The hydrogenation reaction is an example of the addition reaction. In this reaction, hydrogen is
added to a double bond or a triple bond in the presence of a catalyst like nickel, palladium or
platinum.

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Substitution

The reaction in which an atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced or substituted by

different atoms or groups of atoms is called a substitution reaction. In alkanes, hydrogen atoms are
replaced by other elements.

CH4+Cl2+Sunlight → CH3Cl+HCl

Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid

Ethanol

(i) Ethanol, C2H5OH is a colourless liquid having a pleasant smell.

(ii) It boils at 351 K.

(iii) It is miscible with water in all proportions.

(iv) It is a nonconductor of electricity (it does not contain ions)

(v) It is neutral to litmus.

Uses:

1. As an antifreeze in radiators of vehicles in cold countries.

2. As a solvent in the manufacture of paints, dyes, medicines, soaps and synthetic rubber.

3. As a solvent to prepare the tincture of iodine.

To know more about Ethanol, visit here.

How Do Alcohols Affect Human Beings?

(i) If ethanol is mixed with CH3OH and consumed, it causes serious poisoning and loss of eyesight.

(ii) It causes addiction, and damages the liver if taken in excess.

(iii) High consumption of ethanol may even cause death.

Reactions of Ethanol with Sodium

Ethanol reacts with sodium to produce hydrogen gas and sodium ethoxide. This reaction supports
the acidic character of ethanol.

2C2H5OH+2Na → 2C2H5ONa+H2(↑)

Elimination Reaction

An elimination reaction is a type of reaction in which two substituents are removed from a molecule.
These reactions play an important role in the preparation of alkenes.

Dehydration Reaction

Ethanol reacts with concentrated sulphuric acid at 443 K to produce ethylene. This reaction is known
as dehydration of ethanol because, in this reaction, a water molecule is removed from the ethanol
molecule.

CH3CH2OH → CH2=CH2+H2O

(reaction taking place in the presence of Conc.H2SO4)

Ethanoic Acid or Acetic Acid

(i) Molecular formula: CH3COOH

(ii) It dissolves in water, alcohol and ether.

(iii) It often freezes during winter in a cold climate, and therefore, it is named glacial acetic acid.

To know more about Ethanoic Acid, visit here.

Esterification

When a carboxylic acid is refluxed with alcohol in the presence of a small quantity of conc.H2SO4, a
sweet-smelling ester is formed. This reaction of ester formation is called esterification.
Carbon-and-Its-Compounds-19

When ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of conc.H2SO4, ethyl ethanoate and water
are formed.

CH3COOH+C2H5OH → CH3COOC2H5+H2O

(reaction taking place in the presence of Conc.H2SO4)

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Saponification

A soap is a sodium or potassium salt of long-chain carboxylic acids (fatty acid). The soap molecule is
generally represented as RCOONa, where R = non-ionic hydrocarbon group and −COO−Na+ ionic
group. When oil or fat of vegetable or animal origin is treated with a concentrated sodium or
potassium hydroxide solution, hydrolysis of fat takes place; soap and glycerol are formed. This
alkaline hydrolysis of oils and fats is commonly known as saponification.

Carbon-and-Its-Compounds-20

To know more about Saponification, visit here.

Reaction of Ethanoic Acid with Metals and Bases

Ethanoic acid (Acetic acid) reacts with metals like sodium, zinc and magnesium to liberate hydrogen
gas.

2CH3COOH+2Na→2CH3COONa+H2(↑)

It reacts with a solution of sodium hydroxide to form sodium ethanoate and water.

CH3COOH+NaOH→CH3COONa+H2O

Reaction of Ethanoic Acid with Carbonates and Bicarbonates

Carboxylic acids react with carbonates and bicarbonates with the evolution of CO2 gas. For example,
when ethanoic acid (acetic acid) reacts with sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, CO2 gas is
evolved.

2CH3COOH+Na2CO3→2CH3COONa+H2O+CO2

CH3COOH+NaHCO3→CH3COONa+H2O+CO2

Chemical Properties of Carbon Compounds: The important chemical properties are as follows:

1. Combustion: The complete combustion of carbon compounds in the air gives carbon dioxide
water, heat and light.

CH3CH2OH(l) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(l) + Heat and light

Carbon burns in air or oxygen to give carbon dioxide and heat and light.

C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + Heat and light

Saturated hydrocarbons burn with a blue flame in the presence of a sufficient supply of air or
oxygen.

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) + Heat and light

In presence of limited supply of air, saturated hydrocarbon forms a sooty flame.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons burn with a yellow smoky flame.

The gas and kerosene stove used at home has inlet for air so that, burnt to given clean blue flame.

Due to presence of small amount of nitrogen and sulphur, coal and petroleum produces carbon
dioxide with oxides of nitrogen and sulphur which are major pollutant.

2. Oxidation: Oxidation of ethanol in presence of oxidizing agents gives ethanoic acid.

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-20

Oxidizing Agent: Some substances are capable of adding oxygen to others, are known as Oxidising
Agent.

Example: Alkaline KMnO4 (or KMnO4—KOH)

Acidified K2Cr2O7 (or K2Cr2O7—H2SO4)

KMnO4 – Potassium permanganate

K2Cr2O7 – Potassium dichromate

3. Addition Reaction: Addition of dihydrogen with unsaturated hydrocarbon in the presence of

catalysts such as nickel or platinum or palladium are known as Hydrogenation (addition) reaction.

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-21

Catalyst: Substances that cause a reaction to occur or proceeds to different rate without consuming
in it are called a catalyst. For example; Ni, Pt, Pd, etc.

Process of converting vegetable oil into solid fat (vegetable ghee) is called Hydrogenation of Oil.

Vegetable oil + H2 Undefined control sequence \xrightarrow Vegetable ghee

Vegetable fats are saturated fats which are harmful for health.

Vegetable oil containing unsaturated fatty acids are good for health.

4. Substitution Reaction: Replacement of one or more hydrogen atom of an organic molecule by

another atom or group of the atom is known as Substitution Reaction.

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-22

Some Important Carbon Compounds :

Ethanol (CH3CH2—OH): Commonly known as Ethyl Alcohol.

Physical Properties

It is colourless, inflammable liquid.

It is miscible with water in all proportions.

It has no effect on the litmus paper.

Chemical Properties

Reaction with sodium

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-23

Reaction with concentrated H2SO4 (Dehydration Reaction)

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-24

Dehydrating agent: Substances which removes water from ethanol (alcohols) is known as
Dehydrating agent. For example; Cone. H2SO4.

Uses: As solvent, as antiseptic (tincture iodine), as anti-freeze in automobiles.

Ethanoic Acid (CH3COOH): Commonly known as Acetic acid. 5-8% of ethanoic acid in water is called
Vinegar. The melting point of pure ethanoic acid is 290 K and hence, it often freezes in cold climate
so named as glacial acetic acid.

Physical Properties

It is a colourless, pungent-smelling liquid.

Miscible with water in all proportions.

Turns blue litmus to red.

Chemical Properties

(i) Esterification Reaction: Reaction of ethanoic acid with an alcohol in the presence of a few drops of
conc. H2SO4 as catalyst gives a sweet-smelling substance known as Esters, called Esterification
reaction.

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-25

Esters are used in making perfumes and flavouring agents.

Saponification Reaction: Reaction of esters with sodium hydroxide, gives alcohol and sodium salt of
carboxylic acid (soap). This reaction is known as Saponification Reaction.

Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-26

(ii) Reaction with Carbonates and Hydrogen Carbonates: Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium
carbonates and sodium hydrogen carbonates to give rise to a salt, carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon and its Compounds Class 10 Notes Science Chapter 4 img-27

Used as vinegar.

Used as raw material for the preparation of acetyl chloride and esters.

All carbon compounds show some common characteristic properties. Let us see the chemical
properties of carbon compounds. Four important chemical reactions are discussed below:

Combustion Reactions:

When Carbon and its compounds burn in the presence of Oxygen (or air), they give CO2, heat and
light.The process of burning carbon and its compounds in excess of oxygen for the release of heat
and light (energy) is known as combustion.

Following are some of the examples of the combustion reaction of organic compounds:

C + O2 ⇨ CO2 + Heat + Light

C3H8 + 5O2 = 3CO2 + 4H2O.+ Heat + Light

(C3H8 is the molecular formula for Propane, a common gas present in LPG which we burn for
cooking in our kitchens).

In General, saturated hydrocarbons burn with a clear blue flame, whereas unsaturated hydrocarbons
burn with a yellow flame producing soot (carbon).

Combustion of hydrocarbons may be of two types: Complete combustion and incomplete

combustion.
Complete combustion of hydrocarbons occurs in excess of oxygen(air), producing CO2 and H2O as
the only final chemical products.Heat and light (clear blue flame) as a form of energy is generated.

Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient Oxygen(air) and the hydrocarbon is in
excess.This reaction burns with a sooty or smokey flame and produces products which are CO(g)
and/or C(s) and H2O.

Browse more Topics under Carbon And Its Compounds

Carbon

Versatile Nature of Carbon

Some Important Carbon Compounds

Covalent Bonds

Oxidation Reactions:

In a combustion reaction, carbon compounds are oxidized in the presence of oxygen. Though
combustion is generally an oxidation reaction, not all oxidation reactions are combustion reactions.
Oxidation is also carried out by using oxidizing agents (Oxidants).

Oxidizing agents, also referred as Oxidants are substances that oxidize other substances while
undergoing reduction themselves.

Alcohols undergo oxidation in presence of Oxidants like alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4)
to form carbolic acids.

Example: Ethanol undergoes oxidation to produce Acetic acid when heated by an Oxidizing agent like
alkaline KMnO4.

Addition reactions:

Unsaturated organic compounds, like alkenes and alkynes, contain multiple bonds (C=C, C≡C)
between their carbon atoms.They undergo addition reactions to become saturated in nature.

The formation of larger molecules by addition of more radicals is known as addition reaction.During
an addition reaction of unsaturated organic compounds, a reagent takes place at the double bonded
or a triply bonded carbon atoms.
For example; ethene is converted into ethane when heated with the catalyst nickel.

CH2=CH2 + H2 + (Nickel catalyst) ⇨ CH3−CH3

Nickel acts as a catalyst, which basically regulates (increase/decrease) the rate of a given reaction,
without itself undergoing any chemical change.

When ethene undergoes an addition reaction with chlorine, it gives dichloroethane.

addition reaction ethene and chlorine

Chlorine is a halogen, whose atoms partially break the carbon-carbon double bond in the alkene to a
single bond and add itself across it.

Substitution Reaction:

A Substitution reaction is one in which an atom or a group of atoms(functional group) in the

compound are replaced by another atom (or group of atoms). Substitution reactions are single
displacement reactions.

Alkanes, which have only single bonds between their carbon atoms, are saturated
hydrocarbons.They are chemically least reactive.They are also called paraffin, as they have no
affinity (minimum affinity)towards chemical changes (parum=little; affins=affinity).However, under
suitable conditions, they undergo substitution reactions.

For example, under the presence of Sunlight, Methane reacts with chlorine gas to produce
chloromethane and hydrogen chloride.

CH4 + Cl2 + Sunlight ⇨ CH3Cl + HCl

Sunlight (UV Light) breaks down the chlorine into free radicles, which initiates the substitution
reaction.

These reactions define the chemical properties of carbon compounds.