Question

The compound $C{(OH)_4}$ is unstable because a carbon atom cannot hold more than one $ - OH$ groups but $Si{(OH)_4}$ is a stable compound because:
[This question has multiple answers.]
A. $C - O$ bond energy is low.
B. $C - O$ bond energy is high.
C. $Si - O$ bond energy is low.
D. $Si - O$ bond energy is high.

Answer 1

Hint: Carbon and silicon belong to group 14 and are tetravalent in nature. The term tetravalent means making four electrons available for the formation of covalent chemical bonds. Carbon and silicon can form very long chains of interconnecting carbon-carbon and silicon-silicon bonds, a property that is called catenation.

Complete answer:
Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula \[ - OH\] and consists of an oxygen and hydrogen atom held together by a covalent bond, and carries a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water. And also functions as a base, a ligand, a nucleophile, and a catalyst.
$C{(OH)_4}$ is unstable because a carbon atom cannot hold more than one $ - OH$ groups but $Si{(OH)_4}$ is a stable compound because the bond length of $C - O$ bond is less and thus, due to steric hindrance, the bond energy also becomes low for $C - O$ bond, whereas, the $Si - O$ bond is strong because of the larger size of the silicon atom and thus, the bond energy is also high for the $Si - O$ bond.

Thus option A,D is the correct answer.

Note:
The hydroxide ion forms salts, some of which dissociate in aqueous solution, liberating solvated hydroxide ions. Sodium hydroxide is a multi-million-ton per annum commodity chemical. The hydroxide attached to a strongly electropositive center may itself ionize, liberating a hydrogen cation (\[{H^ + }\] ), making the parent compound an acid.