Chem211E Organic Chemistry Introduction to Organic Chemistry

What element distinguishes organic compounds from inorganic compounds?

How many valence electrons does a stable carbon atom typically have?

What type of bonds can a carbon atom form due to its valence electrons?

What makes carbon unique in its ability to form diverse compounds?

What distinguishes carbon compounds from living organisms?

Which of the following elements is NOT a common heteroatom present in organic compounds?

Who was the first to express the difference in behavior between organic and inorganic substances?

What was the organic substance Friedrich Wöhler discovered could be synthesized from an inorganic salt?

What discovery by Michel Chevreul challenged the belief in organic substances having a 'vital force'?

What term did Michel Chevreul use to describe the pure compounds separated from soap?

What year did Friedrich Wöhler discover the synthesis of urea from ammonium cyante?

Which chemist is credited with separating soap into pure organic compounds, challenging the theory of a 'vital force'?

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

The concept of organic chemistry emerged from the observation of differences between substances obtained from living sources and those from minerals.
Substances from living sources were difficult to isolate, purify, and work with.

Brief History of Organic Chemistry

In 1770, Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman first expressed the difference in behavior between "organic" and "inorganic" substances.
Organic compounds were believed to contain a "vital force" due to their origin from living sources.
In 1816, Michel Chevreul found that soap could be separated into several pure organic compounds, revealing that organic substances could be converted into others without an external "vital force".
In 1828, Friedrich Wöhler discovered that the "inorganic" salt ammonium cyanate could be converted into the "organic" substance urea.

Definition of Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds.
Carbon belongs to group 4A and has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four strong covalent bonds.
Carbon atoms can bond with other carbon atoms or elements, forming chains or rings.
Any atom that is not carbon or hydrogen is called a heteroatom.
Common heteroatoms include N, O, S, P, and the halogens.
Carbon is unique in its ability to form an immense diversity of compounds, from simple molecules like methane to complex structures like DNA.

Explore the foundations of organic chemistry and the distinction between compounds from living sources and minerals. Learn about the history of organic chemistry starting from the observations of Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman in 1770.