History of Organic Chemistry

History of Organic Chemistry

• Alchemy, prior to the 1600s, contributed to pure compound production and invention of laboratory tools.
• In the 1300s to 1500s, fractional distillation techniques were used for whisky and brandy, leading to the isolation of organic compounds like acetic acid and formic acid.
• The 1600s to 1700s mark the emergence of chemistry as a scientific discipline in Europe, with Torbern Bergman distinguishing between organic and inorganic compounds based on their origins.
• Hilaire Rouelle isolated urea in 1780, marking significant biochemical advancement.
• Antoine Lavoisier established a table of elements and proposed that organic compounds contained C, H, and sometimes N and P, laying the groundwork for modern chemistry.
• Jons Jakob Berzelius introduced the Vis vitalis theory, asserting a vital force responsible for organic compound formation.
• In the 1800s, Michel Chevreul produced soap from alkali and animal fat, unveiling pure organic compounds like fatty acids.
• Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea, proving that organic compounds could be made without biological sources, considered the father of organic chemistry.
• William Brande challenged the boundary between organic and inorganic chemistry.

Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

• Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds, fundamental to life, including proteins, DNA, and medicinal compounds.
• Carbon's unique electronic structure enables it to form up to four covalent bonds, facilitating an immense diversity of compounds.
• Not all carbon-containing compounds are derived from living organisms; many are synthetically created.

Atomic Structure and Bonding

• An atom's nucleus consists of neutrons and protons, with electrons orbiting around it, maintaining electrical neutrality.
• Mass of subatomic particles: Protons (1.007 amu), Neutrons (1.009 amu), Electrons (5.486 x 10^-4 amu).
• Isotopes are variations of an atom with the same atomic number but different mass numbers, affecting atomic weight.
• Orbitals represent regions around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found, with different shapes and energy levels.
• Orbitals organize into electron shells, with specific maximum electron capacities: s (2), p (6), d (10), f (14).

Electronic Configuration

• Ground-state electron configuration illustrates the arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals.
• Three guiding principles dictate this configuration:
  • Aufbau principle (lowest-energy orbitals fill first).
  • Pauli exclusion principle (only two electrons per orbital, with opposite spins).
  • Hund's rule (electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly first).

Classes of Organic Compounds

• Organic compounds primarily consist of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and often to oxygen and other elements.
• Analyses of organic structures enhance understanding of molecular configuration and reactivity.

Isomerism

• Organic compounds can exist as isomers, where identical molecular formulas have different structural arrangements, influencing their chemical properties.
• Isomerism emphasizes the three-dimensional nature of molecules in organic chemistry.

Explore the fascinating evolution of organic chemistry from its early practices in alchemy to the advancements made in the 20th century. This quiz covers significant historical periods and milestones that shaped the field. Test your knowledge on the various developments in organic chemistry through the ages.