Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry Definition

• Organic chemistry focuses on compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and other non-metal elements
• This field significantly contributes to modern science and technology

Origin and Early Beliefs

• The term "organic chemistry" comes from the word "organism"
• Before 1828, organic compounds were exclusively derived from organisms or their remains
• "Vitalism" proposed that a "vital force" from living organisms was essential for synthesizing organic compounds
• Inorganic compounds were believed to be synthesized from non-living matter

Wöhler's Discovery and Vitalism's Disappearance

• In 1828, Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea (H2NCONH2) from ammonium cyanate (NH4CON)
• Urea is an organic substance found in animal urine
• Wöhler's synthesis disproved the "Vitalism" theory

Modern Definition

• Organic compounds contain carbon and one or more of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or halogens

Organic Compounds

• Organic chemistry studies organic compounds
• They are essential components of human bodies, including food, fuel, dyes, and drugs
• They primarily contain carbon and hydrogen atoms, plus elements like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and halogens
• Hydrocarbons are the parent compounds of all organic compounds
• Carbon is unique in the periodic table
• Classes of organic compounds are distinguished by their functional groups

Functional Groups

• Functional groups are atom groups responsible for the chemical properties of molecules

Early Organic Chemistry

• Organic chemistry's origins trace back to alchemy
• Alchemists sought to turn base metals into gold and create life-extending potions
• Alchemy lacked scientific principles
• The study of organic compounds started in the 18th century
• Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, discovered organic acids like tartaric and citric acids in the late 18th century

Rise of Organic Chemistry

• The 19th century marked organic chemistry's emergence as a distinct field
• Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist, is considered the father of modern chemistry
• Lavoisier established the concept of conservation of mass and the law of definite proportions
• He showed that organic compounds could be broken down into simpler substances

Organic Synthesis Development

• In the 19th century, chemists developed methods to synthesize organic compounds
• Friedrich Wöhler is credited with the first synthesis of an organic compound
• In 1828, he synthesized urea from inorganic materials, showing organic compounds could be synthesized in the lab

Synthesis Focus

• Synthesis of organic compounds became a major focus in the late 19th century
• Hermann Kolbe synthesized acetic acid from inorganic compounds
• This showed organic compounds could be produced chemically, not just from living organisms
• Emil Fischer synthesized complex carbohydrates and amino acids
• This led to the development of biochemistry

Kolbe's Acetic Acid Synthesis

• Hermann Kolbe synthesized acetic acid from inorganic components in 1845
• He made carbon disulfide with chlorine to produce carbon tetrachloride
• It then decomposed by heat to tetrachloroethylene, followed by aqueous chlorination to trichloroacetic acid
• It concluded with electrolytic reduction to acetic acid
• The inorganic substances used were made of hydrocarbons
• Kolbe produced acetic acid from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• Berthelot synthesized methane, causing the term "organic" to lose its original meaning

Chemical Synthesis Equations

• Synthesis of urea from ammonium sulphate and potassium cyanate by Friedrich Wöhler
• (NH4)2SO4 + 2KCNO → 2NH4CNO + K2SO4
• NH4CNO → H2NCONH2
• Kolbe's acetic acid synthesis and Berthelot's methane synthesis chemical equations
• Shown in the provided structures

Structural Theory Development

• The mid-19th century saw the development of structural theory
• Chemists then understood the three-dimensional structure of organic molecules and predict their properties
• August Kekulé proposed the theory of tetravalent carbon and the concept of valence
• This led to a systematic method for naming organic compounds

Significance of Carbon

• Organic chemistry studies substances containing carbon
• It is wide, complex and useful in daily life
• It is recognized for its comparison with normal chemistry
• It deals with carbon compounds like solids, solvents, and gases
• Everyday substances like milk, bread, sugar, clothes, shoes, and medicines are organic

Medicine

• Medicine is a prime area for organic compounds
• Many medicines, including antibiotics, anticancer drugs, and painkillers, are organic
• Organic chemistry in medicine is studied in three parts: drugs to cure disease, the pathophysiology of diseases, and to diagnose diseases

Drugs for Curing Disease

• Many drugs are organic compounds
• They are water insoluble, bitter, and easily movable in body tissues
• Drug delivery to deeper body locations requires enhancing lipid solubility and minimizing water solubility
• Changing the carbon content affects the desired effect
• Organic chemistry enhances drug efficiency, target organ reach, and safe metabolism
• This is considered medicinal chemistry

Pathophysiology of Diseases

• Pathophysiology studies disease with organic chemistry support
• Most human diseases have a course or pathway to death
• Changes in organic components help study disease course and severity

Diagnosing Diseases

• Organic chemistry utilizes aids to detect deficiencies or disturbances
• Diabetics have increased sugar and ketone levels
• Sugars have aldehyde (CHO) and ketones (C=O) groups
• Analysis targets these groups to gauge sugar levels
• Diagnosis checks organic functional group levels to determine the disturbed substance in the body
• Heart patients' cholesterol levels are estimated using ester and carboxylic acid groups

Food

• Food materials consist of carbon compounds, including carbohydrates (CHO), proteins (NH2-CH-COOH), and fats (CH-COO-CH)
• Vitamins are organic
• Experts advise using vitamins (FOLIC acid in pregnancy), fat (minimize in heart diseases), and protein (for body building)
• Beverages like alcohol are organic

Cleansing Agents

• Organic solvents are widely used to clean impurities in industries and laboratories
• In drug extraction, petroleum ether removes fatty matter from plant pulp
• Organic chemistry uses knowledge of polarity, solubility, and partition factors to separate components

Sterilizing Agents

• Sterilizing agents and disinfectants like phenol and formaldehyde are carbon compounds
• Their properties like solubility and pH can kill microbes and human body cells

Analytical Substances

• Substances like drugs and pesticides are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively
• Methods include titrations, chromatography, and spectrophotometry
• Reagents, indicators for end point determination in titration, are products of organic chemistry

Valuables

• The properties of valuables like diamond and graphite are studied in organic chemistry
• Carbon compounds are valuable, durable, and hard

Organic Chemistry Applications

• Organic chemistry is applied in medicine, pesticides, petroleum, and textiles

Analysis

• Organic substances insoluble in water are analyzed by non-aqueous titration using organic solvents like pyridine, methanol, and acetone

Synthesis

• Organic chemistry synthesizes needed compounds on a large scale
• Drug molecules are found naturally or as reaction byproducts

Better Molecules

• Existing molecules can be replaced with similar ones for better performance
• This involves substitution reactions with organic functional groups

Industry

• Organic chemistry has significantly impacted modern industry
• New compounds and synthetic methods have led to a range of products, including pharmaceuticals, plastics, and synthetic fibers

Biochemistry

• In the early 20th century, biochemistry combined organic chemistry with biology
• Biochemistry studies chemical processes in living organisms
• This led to advances in medicine and agriculture

Modern Advancements

• Organic chemistry continues to advance with new synthetic methods and compound discoveries
• The field is important for materials science and nanotechnology