Question

Catenation is self-linking property of__________
(a) Oxygen
(b) Helium
(c) Carbon
(d) Nitrogen

Answer 1

Hint :Catenation describes the self-linking property of an element with itself. Carbon contains four valence electrons and is less electronegative than oxygen and nitrogen. Helium is a noble gas which is monatomic in nature.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Catenation describes the self-linking property of an element with itself. This property is influenced by bond energy and steric and electronic factors. Carbon contains four valence electrons and is less electronegative than oxygen and nitrogen. Therefore, carbon forms a stable and strong single bond (covalent) with itself. Because of this catenation property, carbon is capable of forming a large number of long and cyclic chains. In contrast, Oxygen and Nitrogen don't form a strong single bond with itself because of the repulsion between lone of the electrons available on them. Helium is a noble gas which is chemically inert and thus doesn’t involve bonding with itself.
Therefore, option (c) is correct.

Additional Information:
Since a large number of carbon compounds exists and thus a separate branch of chemistry which is called organic chemistry deals only with properties and reactivity of carbon compounds. Apart from carbon, hydrogen, silicon, boron and sulphur also show catenation properties but not to that extent because of low bond energy and less thermal stability.

Note :
It is important to note that catenation is a self-linking property of carbon. Carbon has four valence electrons and forms a stable and strong single bond with itself. In contrast, Oxygen and Nitrogen don't form a strong single bond with itself. Helium is chemically inert and thus doesn’t involve bonding with itself.