10.

GROUP 14 ELEMENTS (IV A)

SYNOPSIS:
Valence shell Penultimate shell
Symbol At. No configuration configuration

C 6 2s2 2p2 C 2e s2
Si 14 3s2 3p2 Si 8e s2 p6
Ge 32 4s2 4p2 Ge
Si 18e
2 2
Sn 50 5s 5p
Pb 82 6s2 6p2 Pb s2p6d1
They belong to p-block.
General valence shell configuration:
Almost all properties will show a normal trend from C to Si, But, beyond Si, the trend or change slows
down due to ineffective screening caused by d and f electrons.
General properties:
Abundance: Most abundant is Si. Even C is also more abundant. Least abundant is Ge.
Density: It increases down the group. C has higher density than Si due to its diamond form
Order: Si < C < Ge < Sn < Pb
M.Ps and B.P.s: They will decrease down the group due to decrease in the inter atomic attraction.
C has highest M.P and B.P in the entire periodic table.
Order of M.P.s C > Si >Ge > Sn < Pb
Order of B.P.s C > Si < Ge > Sn > Pb
Sn has least M.P.
Pb has least B.P.
Atomic radius: Increases down the group.
Normal increase from C to Si but slow increase from Si onwards. It is due to poor shielding of d e-
in Ge and d and f electrons in others.
Thus, the difference in the atomic radii between Si and Ge is much smaller when compared to that of C
and Si.
Even lanthanide contraction accounts for smaller increase in atomic radii.
Ionisation potential: It decrease normally from C to Si.
Thereafter, the decrease is very slow.
Electronegativity: It decreases normally from C to Si but there after, it remains constant.
Metallic nature: It gradually increases from C to Pb.
C, Si are non-metals.
Ge is metalloid
Sn, Pb are metals
Because of gradual increase in metallic nature, IVA group is best suitable for the study of
periodicity in properties.
Oxidation states:
Common oxidation state is + 4.
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
Tin and lead will exhibit + 2 oxidation state also. + 2 is more common and more stable than + 4 for
Sn and Pb due to inert pair effect.
Valency :
Common valency is 4.
Maximum valency of C is also 4 due to the absence of vacant d-orbitals.
Si and other elements can exhibit a maximum valency of 6 due to the presence of vacant
dorbitals.
Catenation: The ability to form long chains or rings by the atoms of an element is called catenation.
Catenation ability decreases due to decrease in the bond energy.
Thus, C has highest catenation than any other element in the periodic table
Comparison of C and Si
Similarities: Due to similar valence shell configuration they have some similarities.
Both are non-metals.
Both are abundant in nature.
Both exhibit tetravalancy.
Both exhibit common oxidation state of + 4
Both will exhibit allotropy.
Both will form many similar compounds.
Carbon Silicon
Oxides CO2 SiO2
Halides CCl4 SiCl4
Hydrides CH4, C2H6, C3H8, etc. SiH4, Si2H6, Si3H8, etc.
Oxyacids H2CO3 H2SiO3
(Carbonic acid) (Silicic acid)
(COOH)2 H2Si2O4
(oxalic acid) (Silico oxalic acid)
Differences: C and Si have some differences due to different (n 1) shell configuration.
C (n 1)s2 2e
Si (n 1)s2p6 8e

Carbon Silicon
It is present in living beings. It is present in minerals, rocks
etc.
It is hard. It is soft.
It has high m.p. It has low m.p.
Its catenation ability is Its catenation ability is limited.
maximum.
Its maximum valency is 4. Its maximum valency is 6.
Some allotropes of C are All its allotropes are bad
good conductors. conductors.
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)

Differences in their compounds:

Oxides

CO2 is gas. SiO2 is solid.

CO2 exist as monomer and only weak SiO2 is solid. SiO2 has giant
Vanderwaals forces exists. polymeric structure.
In CO2, C is bonded to two Os by In SiO2, Si is bonded to four Os
double bonds. by single bonds.
O
O=C=O -O-Si-
O
CO2 is solube in water . SiO2 is insoluble in water.

Halides
It forms CCl4. It forms SiCl4.
As C does not contain vacant d orbitals in As Si contains vacant d-orbitals
its valence shell, it cannot extend its valency in its valence shell it can exhibit a
beyond 4. valency of 6.

CCl4 is saturated. SiCl4 is unsaturated and

it can form two more bonds.
It is soluble in H2O.
CCl4 is insoluble in H2O.
CCl4 is not hydrolysed. SiCl4 is hydrolysed .
CCl4 does not form species like CCl4.2H2O, It forms species like SiCl4.2H2O,
CCl62-. SiCl62-.
CCl4 cannot act as Lewis acid. SiCl4 can act as Lewis acid

Hydrides
It forms large number of hydrides. It forms very few hydrides.
Its hydrides are stable because C H bond is Silanes are unstable because Si
non polar and it doesnot weaken the H bond is slightly polar and it
adjacent weakens the adjacent Si Si bond.
C C bond.
H H H H
H C C H Si Si
H H H H

Hydrides of C are not hydrolysed due to They are hydrolysed due to polar
non-polar nature . nature.
These are weak These are strong reducing agents.
reducing agents.
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
Allotropy:
The existence of same element in different physical forms is called allotropy.
Allotrops of an element have similar chemical properties, but different physical properties.
Allotropic forms may differ in
1) Crystal structure
2) Arrangment of atoms
3) Atomicity
Carbon has two types of allotropic forms
1) Crystalline (a) Diamond (b) Graphite
2) Amorphous (Microcrystalline) coal, coke, charcoal, animal charcoal. Lamp black, carbon black,
petroleum coke, gas carbon, sugar charcoal.
Diamond:
Diamonds are measured in carats.
One carat = 0.2 g = 200 mg
In India, Kohinoor and pitt diamonds are available. Kohinoor is 186 carats and pitt is 136.25
carats.
Heaviest known diamond in the world is cullinan. It has 3026 carats (S.Africa)
Properites:
Diamond is the hardest known substance
It glitters because its refractive index is high i.e., 2.45.
It has highest m.p. than any other element i.e., 4200 K.
Diamonds are insulators i.e., bad conductors of electricity.
It is transparent to light and x-rays.
It is insoluble in any solvent.
It is the purest crystalline form of C.
It is inert form of carbon.
It is stable upto 1500C. On heating invaccum above 1500C, it changes to graphite. [1500
800C]
Structure:
In diamond, C is sp3 hybridised. Each C is tetrahedrally bonded to four other carbons by strong
sigma bonds.
C C bondlength is 1.54 A.
C C C bond angle is 109.
It is three dimensional gaint polymeric
It is the hardest with highest m.p. because of its polymeric structure.
It is bad conductor as all the four valence electrons are utilised in bonding and number of electrons
is left free.
Uses:
In jewellary as precious stones.
In cutting tools.
As abrasives.
Graphite:
It is also known as black lead or plumbago.

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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
It is thermo dynamically more stable. It is good conductor of heat and electricity because each C is
left with one free electron.
Its melting point is very high i.e., around 3500C.
Preparation of artificial graphite:
Graphite is artificially prepared by Achesons process. Coke is heated with silica above 3500C in
an electric furnace.
The SiC is formed and it decomposes to give graphite on further heating
SiO2 + 3C(coke) SiC + 2CO

SiC(carborundum) Si + Cgraphite
Structure of graphite:
C is sp2 hybridized. Each C is bonded to three other carbons by strong bonds. The fourth valence
electron of all carbon atoms together will form a delocalised -electron cloud which is responsible
for the conducting nature of graphite.
Graphite consists of hexagonal rings.
It has layer lattice structure.
The layers are bound by Vanderwall forces.
The distance between the layers is 3.35 A.
C C bondlength is 1.42 A.
High meting point of graphite is due to its to two dimensional polymeric sturcture.
C C C bond angle is 120.
The soft and slippery nature of graphite is due to layer lattice structure.
Uses:
Used in lead pencils (consists graphite and clay).
As dry lubricant.
In making electrodes.
As moderator in nuclear reactors.
In painting stoves.
In electroplating and electrotyping.

Physical and chemical properties of carbon:-

Different allotropes of carbon have nearly same reactivity.
The amorphous forms of C are more reactive due to their increased surface area.
C reacts with air (or) O2 and forms CO2.
700C

C (diamond) + O 2 ( e x c e s s ) C O 2
Electric
CS2
C (white hot coke ) + S(vapour) furnace

Carbon reacts with the oxidizing acids like HNO3 and gives acidic oxides.

3C + 4 HNO3 3CO2 + 4 NO + 2 H 2O
Hot H2SO4 yields CO2 and H2SO4 is reduced to SO2.

C + 2 H 2 SO4 (conc) CO2 + 2 SO2 +2H O
2

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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
C reacts with dil HNO3 or Conc HNO3 or Con H2SO4 but not with dil HCl and dil H2SO4. because dil /
conc HNO3, Conc H2SO4 are oxidizing agents but dil HCl and dil H2SO4 are non-oxidizing agents.
C (white, hot coke) + H2O (steam)
CO + H 2
water gas

Carbon can act as reducing agent.

SnO2 + 2C Sn + 2CO

CO2 + C 2CO
250 400 c

Fe2O3 + 3C 2 Fe + 3CO

Carbon reduces sodium hydroxide to Na metal.

2C + 6 NaOH 2 Na2CO3 + 2 Na + 3H 2

Carbon reacts with metals or metal oxides to form carbides.

3Fe + C Fe3C
CaO + 3C CaC2 + CO

Uses of carbon:
i. Mainly C is used as a reducing agent.
ii. It is used in manufacture of CS2.
iii. In the production of water gas and producer gas.
iv. Activated char coal is used to absorb poisonous gases.

USES OF OXIDES OF CARBON:

Carbon monoxide
CO is important component of gaseous fuels like producer gas, water gas and coal gas.
CO is a good reducing agent for many metal oxides to produce metals.
CO is a good ligand in the metallurgy of Ni by Monds process.

Carbon dioxide
Solid CO2 is called as dry ice or cardice and used as refrigerant.
As a coolant in the lab.
In the manufacturing of urea and in creating Inert atmosphere and in neutralizing alkalies.
As fire extinguisher.
Used in nitrogenous fertilizer and making urea.
C3O2 reacts with water and gives malonic acid CH 2 ( COOH )2 .

Silica (SiO2)
Silica is more abundant in the nature in the form of silicates. Mainly in the form of aluminium
silicate.
SiO2 exhibits allotropy.
(1) Crystalline forms: Quartz, trydimite, Crystobalite

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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
At low temperature, form and at high temperature form of each crystalline exists. Pure quartz is
colourless and impure quartz is coloured
(2) Amorphous Forms: Agate, Jaspar, Onyx are the amorphous forms of silica.
Sand stone consists of sand particles and iron oxide.
Flint silica consists of both Quartz and amorphous forms.
Kiesulguhr silica consists of minute sea organisms.
Preparation of silica:
(1) By burning of Si in O2
Si + O2 SiO2
(2) By hydrolysis of SiCl4 or SiF4.
SiCl4 + 4H2O H4SiO4 + 4HCl
3SiF4 + 4H2O H4SiO4 + 2H2SiF6(orthosilicic acid)
H4SiO4 SiO2 + 2H2O.
Silica is insoluble in water
Silica is soluble only in HF among all the acids
Chemical properties:
1) With HF: It reacts with HF to give SiF4.
SiO2 + 4HF SiF4 + 2H2O
2) With coke: on heating silica with coke, SiC or carborundum is formed. SiC is very hard substance
SiO2 + 3C SiC + 2CO
3) Acidic nature:
SiO2 is slightly acidic in nature.
It reacts with bases, basic oxides and basic carbonates to give corresponding silicates.
SiO2 + Na2O Na2SiO3
SiO2 + CaO CaSiO3
SiO2 + 2NaOH Na2SiO3 + H2O
SiO2 + Na2CO3 Na2SiO3 + CO2
SiO2 + CaCO3 CaSiO3 + CO2

Action of Heat :
On heating, one form changes to another form and above 1700C all the forms change into liquid
state.
Quartz is the purest form of silica.
Structure of silica:
In SiO2, each Si is tetrahedrally bonded to four oxygen atoms.
Though Si is bonded to four Os, the formula is SiO2 because those four Os are inturn shared by
other silicons.
It is 3-dimensional giant polymer resembling diamond.
But, SiO2 is soft with low m.p. when compared to diamond because Si O Si bonds are weak.
O O O
O Si O Si O Si O
O O O
O Si O Si O Si O
O O O
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)

There is no direct Si Si Bond

SILICONES
Silicones are organo silicon polymers containing Si O Si bonds.
Silicones are formed by the hydrolysis of alkyl or aryl substituted chloro silicates and their
subsequent polymerization.
Silicones contain R2 SiO repeating unit.
The empirical formula of silicone R2SiO is analogous to that of ketone (R2CO) and hence are
named silicones.

Alkyl or aryl substituted chlorosilanes are prepared by the reaction of R Cl with silicon in the
presence of metallic copper as a catalyst
Cu power
2 RCl + Si R
370 k
2 SiCl2

Hydrolysis of substituted chlorosilicones yield corresponding silicones which under

polymerization.

R| R| R| R|
H 2O
HO Si OH + HO Si OH HO Si O Si OH

| | | |

R R R R

Polymerization of dialkyl silane diols yield linear thermoplastic polymers.

Cyclic or ring silicones are formed when water is eliminated from terminal OH groups of linear
silicones.
Hydrolysis of RSiCl3 gives crosslinked silicone.
Commercial silicone polymers are usually methyl derivatives and to a lesser extent phenyl
derivatives.
Silicones have chemical inertness, water repelling nature, heat resistance and good electrical
insulating properties.
Silicones are used as scalants, greases, electrical insulators in making water proof cloth &
papers and in silicon rubber preparation.
Silicones are used in paints and enamels.
SILICATES:
o Many building materials are silicates. Ex: Granites, slates, bricks and cement.
o Ceramics and glass are also silicates.
o The Si-O bonds in silicates are very strong.
o They do not dissolve in any of the common solvents nor do they mix with other substances
readily.

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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
The silicates can be divided into six types. They are mentioned here.santhoshi
i) Orthosilicates or Nesosilicates : Their general formula may be M 2n ( SiO4 ) .
Example : Willemite Zn2(SiO4)
ii) PyroSilicates or SoroSilicates or DiSilicates : These contain SiO76 units. PyroSilicates are rare.
Example : Thortveitite Ln2[Si2O7].
Chain Silicates : They have the units ( SiO3 )n
2n
iii)
Example : Spodumene LiAl(SiO3)2.
Amphiboles are one type chain Silicates. Generally double chains are formed in them.
iv) Cyclic Silicates : They are silicates having ring structures. They may be formed of general
formula ( SiO3 )n . Rings containing three, four, six and eight tetrahedral units are known. But
2n

rings with three and six are the most common.

Ex: Beryl Be3Al2[Si6O18]
v) Sheet Silicates : When SiO4 units share three corners the structure formed in an infinite two
dimensional sheet. The empirical formula ( Si2O5 )n . These compounds appear in layer
2 n

structures. They can be cleaved. Ex: Kaolin Al2(OH)4 Si2O5.

Example : Kaolin Al2(OH)4 Si2O5.
v) Sheet Silicates : When SiO4 units share three corners the structure formed in an infinite two
dimensional sheet. The empirical formula ( Si2O5 )n . These compounds appear in layer
2 n

structures. They can be cleaved. Ex: Kaolin Al2(OH)4 Si2O5.

Example : Kaolin Al2(OH)4 Si2O5.
vi) Frame work silicates or three dimensional silicates : Sharing all the four corners of a SiO4
tetrahedron results in three dimensional lattice of formula SiO4.
Example : Quartz; Tridymite; Cristobalite; Feldspar and Ultramarine (Na8[Al6Si6O24]S2), Zeolites

Uses of Silicates
i) Clay minerals are used for absorbing chemicals.
ii) Micas (i.e.sheet silicates) are used for electrical insulation.
iii) Asbestos is used for thermal insulation.
iv) Agate and flint are used as hard or sharp surfaces.
v) Variety of silicates used for ornaments and jewellary.
vi) Cement, ceramics and glass are all useful material to the man.

o Simple ortho silicates contain discrete SiO4 units Eg: olivine-, Zircon - ZrSiO4 , phenacite -
Ba2 SiO4
, willimitc Zn2 SiO4 - . Mg SiO
2 4

o Pyrosillicates are formed when two SiO4 tetrahedral share a corner.

Pyrosilicates contain units ( Si2O7 ) .

6

o
o Examples for Pyrosilicates thortveitite Sc2 Si2O7 - , Hemimophite Zn3 Si2O7 Zn ( OH )2 - 2H 2O ,

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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
o When SiO4 units share two oxygen atoms with each other cyclic and linear single chain silicates
2 n

having the empirical formula

( SiO3 ) n .
o Beryl - Be3 Al2 Si6O18 is cyclic silicate.
o 1 linear silicate chain is present in Diopside - MgCa ( SiO3 )2 or MgCaSi2O6
o If two linear chains are cross-linked, the resulting double stranded silicates have the composition
( Si4O11 )
6

n
and are called amphiboles.
ZEOLITES:
Aluminium silicates are called Zeolites Eg. Na2 Al2 Si2O8 .xH 2O
(sodium aluminium orthosilicate)
If aluminium atoms replace few silicon atoms in 3-D net work of silica ( SiO2 ) the overall
structure know as alulminium is formed and it acquires negative charge.
Cations such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ etc. balance the negative charge.
Eg: Feldspar & zeolites.
These have honey comb like structure and have the general formula
Mx
n
( AlO2 ) x ( SiO2 ) y .H 2O
( M = Na +
, K + or Ca 2+ )
(n = charge on metalion)
These act as ion exchanger and molecularsieves
Artificial Zeolites can be prepared by heating chain clay silica & Na2CO3
Eg of artificial zeolite is permutite, Na2 Al2 Si2O8 .xH 2O used in the softening of hard water.
USES OF ZEOLITES:

As catalysts in petrochemical industries for cracking of hydrocarbons and isomerisation eg: (A

type of zeolite) used to convert alcohols directly into gasoline hydrated zeolites are used as ion
exchangers of hard water.

SILICON TETRACHLORIDE:
1. SiCl4 is know as tetrachlorosilico methane.
2. It is used.
(i) To make ultra pure Si for transistors.
(ii) SiCl4 mixed with ammonia is used in warfare for the production of smoke screens.
(iii) SiCl4 is hydrolysed at high temperature to give fine SiCl2. This SiCl2 is used in epoxy
paints and resins.
(iv) SiCl2 obtained as above is used as an inrert filler in silicons rubber.
3. SiCl4 does not form [ SiCl6 ] . Because
2

(i) Si+4 is small in size. Six Cl-1 ions cannot be accommodated around Si+4 ion.
(ii) The interaction of the lone pairs on Cl-1 ion and the Si+4 particle is weak.
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
Uses of Silica :
As building material .
Quartz glass is used to prepare glass to work with u, v radiation.
In the preparation of sand bricks used for lining of furnaces.
Coloured quartz is used in making lenses, optical instruments.
As acid flux in metallurgy.
Fuel gases:
Fuels burn in air and produce heat energy.
Calorific value can be expressed as the heat energy released per gram.
Calorific value is also expressed as kJ/m3 for gaseous fuels.
Out of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, the gaseous fuels are more advantageous because of
a) High calorific value
b) No ash and no smoke.
c) Easy to transport.
Producer gas:
It is the mixture of CO(33%) + N2(64%).
Manufacture:
It is manufactured in a furnace named as gas producer by the incomplete combustion of coal.
The furnace is filled with coal and air is sent into it through its bottom.
Some of the coal is burnt to give CO2, which rises up through hot beds of coal and gets reduced to
CO.
C + O2 CO2
CO2 + C 2CO
Through the exit at the top, producer gas is collected.
Its calorific value is very low because N2 is non-combustible.
It should be used on the spot to avoid loss of heat.
Uses:
As fuel in steel and glass industries
As fuel in gas engines.
As fuel in the manufacture of ammonia
Water gas:
It is the mixture of CO and H2 in 1 : 1 ratio by volume. It is also known as blue gas as both
components burn with blue flame.
It is also called synthesis gas.
Manufacture:
By passing steam over white hot coke water gas is prepared.
>1000 0 C
C + H2O CO + H2 heat
The above reaction is endothermic and hence the coke becomes cold after some time. If steam is
passed over cold coke, unwanted reaction occurs.
C + 2H2O CO2 + 2H2
To maintain required temperature air is supplied for sometime. Thus, steam and air are supplied
alternately over coke to produce water gas.
Water gas has high calorific value.
Uses:
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 Group 14 Elements (IVA)
As fuel in various industries.
In the manufacture of ammonia by Habers process.
Semiwater Gas: (Thin producer gas)
It is the mixture CO, H2 and N2(CO + H2 + N2)
The order of their volumes in semiwater gas.
N2 > CO > H2
55%, 25%, 10%
Semi-water gas is obtained by passing steam and air simultaneously over white hot coke.
Its calorific value is less than that of water gas.
Uses:
As fuel in steel industry.
In internal combustion engines.
Carburetted water gas:
It is mixture of water gas and hydro carbons.
The order of volumes of various gases in the carbureted water gas : H2 > CO > Saturated
hydrocarbons > Unsaturated hydrocarbons
Its calorific value is very high.
It is also used as industrial fuel.
For the above fuel gases, the order of calorific values is
Carburetted water gas > water gas > semi water gas > producer gas

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