Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry is one of the most important branches of the chemical sciences. It deals with carbon compounds and their many uses. Carbon has four valence electrons which allows it to bond with other atoms through covalent bonds. In nature, there are millions of different types of organisms made up from thousands of different kinds of molecules. Every living thing is made up of billions of individual carbon atoms joined together by strong covalent bonds forming complex chains called polymers. These polymers can be further arranged into large structures such as proteins and nucleic acids, which are responsible for life's function and growth.

One common type of compound found in organic chemistry is hydrocarbons, which are simply molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. There are two main classes of hydrocarbons - alkanes and aromatics. Alkanes have single bonds between carbons while aromatic hydrocarbons involve rings where some of the carbon atoms share double bonds. Another class of compounds includes those containing oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogens, or phosphorous in addition to carbon and hydrogen.

Many reactions occur in organic chemistry and they generally fall into three categories: synthesis, isolation, and identification. Synthesis involves making new compounds; isolation requires separating them out from mixtures; and identification means determining what kind of material you have before you. There are also several general reaction types like oxidations, reductions, substitutions, eliminations, and additions.

Organic chemists work to discover more efficient ways to make useful materials. They might find better methods to manufacture plastics or medicines, or even produce renewable energy sources. Understanding how these molecules react with each other under various conditions gives us control over processes we need help from nature accomplish.