How many covalent bonds does carbon form in neutral compounds?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 20, 2016

The carbon atom has 4 valence electrons, and is most stable when it forms 4 covalent bonds with other atoms.

Explanation:

#CH_4#, #H_3C-CH_3#, #H_2C=CH_2#; in 2 of these examples, the 4 valence electrons on #C# are formally paired with the #1# electron on #H# to form form 4 covalent bonds. In the one instance, ethylene, each carbon centre shares 2 electrons with the other carbon to form an unsaturated bond, a #C=C# double bond.

For anionic species, there are 5 electrons presumed to be "owned" by the carbon centre, e.g. #H_3C:^(-)Li^+#, and here carbon has a FORMAL negative charge.

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