Organic Chemistry Basics

Organic Chemistry

Definition

• Branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties.
• Involves the study of structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds.

Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Typically have low melting and boiling points.
• Are often insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.
• Can be found naturally or synthesized in a laboratory.
• Exhibit isomerism (existence of multiple structures with same molecular formula).

Functional Groups

• Specific groups of atoms within a molecule that determine its chemical properties.
• Examples:
  • Hydroxyl (-OH)
  • Carboxyl (-COOH)
  • Amino (-NH2)
  • Aldehyde (-CHO)
  • Ketone (-CO-)

Classification of Organic Compounds

• Saturated compounds: single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., alkanes).
• Unsaturated compounds: multiple bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., alkenes, alkynes).
• Aromatic compounds: planar, ring-shaped molecules with delocalized electrons (e.g., benzene).

Reactions in Organic Chemistry

• Substitution reactions: replacement of one functional group with another.
• Elimination reactions: removal of a leaving group, resulting in a new π bond.
• Addition reactions: addition of a molecule to a multiple bond.
• Oxidation-reduction reactions: gain or loss of electrons.

Laboratory Techniques

• Chromatography: separation of mixtures based on differences in properties.
• Distillation: separation of mixtures based on boiling points.
• Crystallization: purification of compounds through crystal formation.

Importance of Organic Chemistry

• Applications in pharmaceuticals, fuels, plastics, and biotechnology.
• Understanding of biological processes and biomolecules (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates).
• Development of new materials and technologies.

Organic Chemistry

• Deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties, involving structure, properties, and reactions.

Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Typically have low melting and boiling points.
• Often insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.
• Can be found naturally or synthesized in a laboratory.
• Exhibit isomerism, meaning multiple structures with the same molecular formula.

Functional Groups

• Specific groups of atoms within a molecule that determine its chemical properties.
• Examples include hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), amino (-NH2), aldehyde (-CHO), and ketone (-CO-).

Classification of Organic Compounds

• Saturated compounds have single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., alkanes).
• Unsaturated compounds have multiple bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., alkenes, alkynes).
• Aromatic compounds are planar, ring-shaped molecules with delocalized electrons (e.g., benzene).

Reactions in Organic Chemistry

• Substitution reactions involve the replacement of one functional group with another.
• Elimination reactions involve the removal of a leaving group, resulting in a new π bond.
• Addition reactions involve the addition of a molecule to a multiple bond.
• Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the gain or loss of electrons.

Laboratory Techniques

• Chromatography is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in properties.
• Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on boiling points.
• Crystallization is a method of purifying compounds through crystal formation.

Importance of Organic Chemistry

• Has applications in pharmaceuticals, fuels, plastics, and biotechnology.
• Helps in understanding biological processes and biomolecules (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates).
• Enables the development of new materials and technologies.

Learn about the definition and characteristics of organic compounds, including their properties, solubility, and isomerism.