Covalent compounds exhibit the following properties:
(i) These have low melting points and boiling points.
(ii) These do not conduct electricity either in the solid state or in molten state or in the solution form. They are non-electrolytes.
(iii) These are readily soluble in non-polar solvents like benzene, carbon tetrachloride etc. but do not dissolve in polar solvents like water.
(iv) The covalent bond is directional in nature.
(i) Tetravalency: Since carbon has a valency of four, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of carbon or atoms of some other mono-valent element.
(ii) Catenation: Carbon has the unique ability to form bonds with other atoms or carbon giving rise to large molecules. This property is called catenation.
Draw the structures for the following compounds.
(i) Ethanoic acid (ii) Bromopentane*
(iii) Butanone (iv) Hexanal.
Are structural isomers possible for bromopentane?