another recently discovered allotropes, have graphite like tubes with fullerene ends. Along the axis, these nanotubes are stronger than steel and conduct electricity. These have many applications in nanoscale electronics, catalysis, polymers and medicine. Figure .
Structure of diamond Figure . Structure of Fullerenes Figure . Structure of carbon nanotubes - - - - Another allotrophic form of carbon is graphene. It has a single planar sheet of sp hybridised carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice.
. . Carbon monoxide [CO]: Preparation: Carbon monoxide can be prepared by the reaction of carbon with limited amount of oxygen. 2C + O 2CO On industrial scale carbon monoxide is produced by the reaction of carbon with air.
The carbon monoxide formed will contain nitrogen gas also and the mixture of nitrogen and carbon monoxide is called producer gas. 2C + O /N (air) 2CO + N Producers Gas The producer gas is then passed through a solution of copper(I)chloride under pressure which results in the formation of CuCl(CO).2H O. At reduced pressures this solution releases the pure carbon monoxide. Pure carbon monoxide is prepared by warming methanoic acid with concentrated sulphuric acid which acts as a dehydrating agent.
HCOOH + H SO CO + H SO . H O Properties It is a colourless, odourless, and poisonous gas. It is slightly soluble in water. It burns in air with a blue flame forming carbon dioxide.
2CO + O 2CO When carbon monoxide is treated with chlorine in presence of light or charcoal, it forms a poisonous gas carbonyl chloride, which is also known as phosgene. It is used in the synthesis of isocyanates. CO + Cl COCl Carbon monoxide acts as a strong reducing agent. 3CO + Fe O 2Fe + 3CO Under high temperature and pressure a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthetic gas or syn gas) gives methanol.
CO + 2H CH OH In oxo process, ethene is mixed with