The property by virtue of which carbon can form a C-C covalent bond is called _______.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. catenation.
The property by virtue of which carbon can form a C-C covalent bond is called catenation. Catenation is the unique ability of an element to form bonds with atoms of the same element, creating long chains or rings.
Carbon exhibits this property most extensively due to its small size and the strength of the carbon-carbon covalent bond. This unparalleled catenation is the foundational reason for the vast diversity and complexity of organic molecules, from simple chains to intricate polymers and life-sustaining compounds.
While tetravalency (having four valence electrons) allows carbon to bond with other atoms, it is catenation that specifically enables it to build stable skeletons with other carbon atoms.