Organic Chemistry Basics

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry concerned with the study of carbon compounds. These compounds form the basis for living organisms and many manmade materials we rely upon every day. Understanding organic chemistry can help us appreciate how living things work and what they're made from. It also forms part of our understanding of chemical change and reactions, which helps us understand why some chemicals react together while others don't.

Structure and Bonding

The centerpiece of all organic molecules is the carbon atom, found in almost any compound you care to name. Carbon atoms bond with hydrogen atoms, forming hydrocarbons, such as methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆) and propane (C₃H₈). Many other elements attach themselves to these basic building blocks, adding variety, complexity, and usefulness.

Carbon has four valence electrons it uses to create bonds with its neighbors. Like oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, each carbon atom forms covalent bonds directly with other atoms around it. A common way is by sharing pairs of electrons with another atom to make a single bond; two shared pairs of electrons constitute a double bond; three shared pairs constitute a triple bond. This ability to form multiple bonds allows carbon to link up with itself and other simple atoms in complex ways.

Functional Groups

Many important properties of organic compounds come from specific parts called functional groups. For example, if you remove one electron pair from any carbon in a saturated chain, it becomes more reactive—it wants those missing electrons back. That reaction begins when another substance steals one or both lone pairs off the carbon. In this case, we say the carbon has been 'activated,' meaning it will readily combine with other elements.

Functional groups also give rise to distinct types of organic molecules. Having different molecular structures means having different chemical properties. Here are just a few examples:

• Alcohols: Characterized by an -OH group attached to the main chain. They have sour tastes and catch fire easily. Alka Seltzer contains acetaminophen, which is derived from phenol, an alcohol.
• Amides: Nitrogen containing derivatives formed from combinations of ammonia and carboxylic acid. Amide is often used in dyes like blue food coloring.
• Amines: Contain at least one primary, secondary, or tertiary amino group (-NHxR), where x = H, R, or R' respectively. Common household cleaning products contain small amounts of amine-based surfactants.
• Halogenated Compounds: Have halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine added to their structure. Teflon is a synthetic polymer made from perfluoroalkyl and polytetrafluoroethylene components.

Reactions

Reactions involving organic compounds can range from simple to incredibly complicated processes. There are several general categories of organic reactions: Combustion reactions (e.g., burning coal); Acid-base reactions (e.g., lemon juice turning milk white); Redox reactions (e.g., rusting iron); Synthesis reactions (making new matter out of old stuff); Decomposition reactions (breaking larger pieces into smaller ones).