Section 5: Carbon As Nonmetallic Elements

SECTION 5 : CARBON AS NONMETALLIC ELEMENTS Carbon compounds (C) are compounds that are widely known. The specialty of the carbon element compared to other group IVA elements is that this element naturally binds itself in chains, either in single C — C bonds, double C = C bonds, or triple CC bonds. The element carbon has several different forms, namely diamond, graphite, and charcoal. Different forms of the same element are called allotropes. 1. Diamond Diamond is a clear solid substance and the hardest substance, has a high refractive index, is not an electrical conductor but is acid and alkali resistant. Diamonds are formed naturally. The molecular arrangement of diamond is denser than graphite, with the density of diamond being 3.51 g/cm3 , while graphite is 2.22 g/cm3 . To make diamonds from graphite, high pressure and temperature are required, namely 3,000 °C and 125 bar with a transition metal catalyst, such as Cr, Fe, or Pt, which will produce a 0.1 carat diamond. The use of natural diamonds is mostly for jewelry. Natural diamonds that are not fine enough are used for glass cutters, grinders, and drill bits and are used to make emery for polishing very hard objects, such as stainless steel. 2. Graphite Graphite is a black non-metallic substance that is able to conduct heat well, is opaque, slippery, heat resistant, and can be crushed into smaller powder. The physical properties of graphite are determined by its nature and surface area. Smooth graphite means it has a relatively wider surface. Graphite can be made by synthesizing various materials containing carbon. Graphite has a layer-shaped structure. The distance between layers is almost 2.5 times greater than the distance between atoms in a single layer. This causes graphite to be slippery because one layer can slide over another layer.The relationship between layers in graphite can be compared to a stack of wet glass sheets.Graphite also has a high melting point. The electrons used to form bonds between layers are relatively weakly bound, so they can flow from one atom to another, so graphite can conduct electricity.The uses of graphite include as electrodes in batteries, electrolysis processes, or for pencils. In addition, if activated carbon is heated at a temperature of 1,500 °C with palladium, platinum as a catalyst, it will produce polymer fibers, such as polyacrylonitrile or cellulose, which when combined with plastic will form foam and foil. 3. Charcoal Another material that contains carbon is charcoal. Charcoal is made from wood or sawdust by heating at high temperatures without air.Charcoal is a fine crystal with a graphite-like structure. The space between the atomic layers in finely powdered charcoal can absorb atoms, so that the substance has great absorption power. Therefore this substance is used in gas masks. Charcoal can be used to adsorb dyes and pollutants in water processing and in sugar cane juice in sugar processing, apart from being a medicine for stomach aches. 4. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas and has a boiling point of –190 °C. This carbon monoxide will be formed if carbon is burned with a small amount of oxygen, stoichiometrically lacking oxygen. Carbon monoxide can, among other things, be produced through the reduction of phosphate rock to phosphorus and the results of burning fuel, such as exhaust from motor vehicles. Carbon monoxide is dangerous for the body because it can bind to Fe atoms in blood hemoglobin.Carbon monoxide can be used as fuel by mixing it with other gases, as a reducing agent in the processing of various types of metals. Apart from that, the mixture of carbon monoxide and H2 is important for methanol synthesis. 5. Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide is produced from the combustion process of fuel containing carbon. Naturally, carbon dioxide is a gas and is obtained from animal metabolism and is only very small in the atmosphere, around 0.03% by volume. Even though it is not dangerous, if the levels are too high it can cause people to faint and damage the respiratory system.Carbon dioxide is commercially obtained from burning petroleum refining residues. Large quantities are also obtained as a by-product of urea production and alcohol production from the fermentation process. Reaction: C6H12O6 2C2 H5OH + 2CO2 Some uses of carbon dioxide are:  Dry ice is used as a coolant, such as in making ice cream, meat products and frozen foods. b. As a fire extinguisher, CO2 will prevent fire from spreading because it is lighter than air, so it will encircle the fire.  To make carbonated drinks (soft drinks), such as soda water, lemonade, and others.  As a chemical reagent in the process of making sodium salicylate, potassium, ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate.  As a raw material for photosynthesis and determines global climate temperatures.  As a raw material for photosynthesis, aquatic plants and snails are usedand the like to make shells.