JEE Main · 2019 · Shift-ImediumPB11-008

The correct order of catenation is:

p-Block Elements (Class 11) · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The correct order of catenation is:

Options
  1. a

    Ge>Sn>Si>C\mathrm{Ge} > \mathrm{Sn} > \mathrm{Si} > \mathrm{C}

  2. b

    C>Sn>Si≈Ge\mathrm{C} > \mathrm{Sn} > \mathrm{Si} \approx \mathrm{Ge}

  3. c

    C>Si>Ge≈Sn\mathrm{C} > \mathrm{Si} > \mathrm{Ge} \approx \mathrm{Sn}

    ✓
  4. d

    Si>Sn>C>Ge\mathrm{Si} > \mathrm{Sn} > \mathrm{C} > \mathrm{Ge}

Correct Answerc

C>Si>Ge≈Sn\mathrm{C} > \mathrm{Si} > \mathrm{Ge} \approx \mathrm{Sn}

Detailed Solution

Strategy: Rank Group 14 elements by their ability to form chains with themselves (catenation), which depends on M–M bond strength.

Step 1: Catenation and Bond Enthalpy Catenation ability ∝ M–M bond enthalpy. As atomic size increases, M–M bond length increases and bond enthalpy decreases.

Step 2: Order

  • \ceC\ce{C}: Strongest C–C bond (346 kJ/mol), extensive 3D catenation (diamond, graphite, fullerenes).
  • \ceSi\ce{Si}: Si–Si bond weaker (226 kJ/mol), moderate catenation (silanes up to \ceSi6H14\ce{Si6H14}).
  • \ceGe\ce{Ge} and \ceSn\ce{Sn}: Very weak Ge–Ge and Sn–Sn bonds; minimal catenation.

\ceC>Si>Ge≈Sn\ce{C > Si > Ge \approx Sn}

Answer: (C) \ceC>Si>Ge≈Sn\boxed{\text{Answer: (C) }\ce{C > Si > Ge \approx Sn}}

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