Chapter 22, Problem 22.96SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason of toxic nature of ${\text{CO and CN}}^{\text{-}}$ to humans needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The group 4A elements show variation from non-metals to metals down in the group. The first element of the group 4A is carbon with 4 valence electrons.

Since C has four valence electrons, therefore, it shows tetravalency and can form four covalent bonds with the same or different elements. Because of the tetravalency nature, carbon tends to form covalent bonds with the same or different elements to form a large number of organic compounds.