Organic Chemistry Basics

Organic Chemistry

Definition and Scope

• Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties, reactions, and synthesis.
• Organic compounds are typically found in living organisms, but can also be synthesized in the laboratory.

Key Principles

• Carbon's ability to form long chains and rings: Carbon's unique ability to form long chains and rings allows for a vast diversity of organic compounds.
• Functional groups: Functional groups are specific groups of atoms that determine the chemical properties of an organic compound.
• Stereochemistry: Stereochemistry is the study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules.

Types of Organic Compounds

• Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms. (e.g. methane, ethane)
• Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. (e.g. ethene, propene)
• Alkynes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. (e.g. ethyne, propyne)
• Arenes: Aromatic hydrocarbons with a planar, ring-shaped structure. (e.g. benzene, toluene)
• Alcohols: Compounds with a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group. (e.g. methanol, ethanol)
• Ethers: Compounds with an ether (-O-) functional group. (e.g. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran)
• Amines: Compounds with an amino (-NH2) functional group. (e.g. ammonia, trimethylamine)

Reactions in Organic Chemistry

• Substitution reactions: Reactions in which a functional group is replaced by another functional group.
• Elimination reactions: Reactions in which a functional group is removed, resulting in a new π bond.
• Addition reactions: Reactions in which a functional group is added to a molecule, resulting in a new σ bond.
• Oxidation and reduction reactions: Reactions involving the gain or loss of electrons.

Importance of Organic Chemistry

• Biomolecules: Organic chemistry is essential for the study of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
• Pharmaceuticals: Organic chemistry is used in the development of new drugs and pharmaceuticals.
• Materials science: Organic chemistry is used in the development of new materials such as plastics, fibers, and adhesives.
• Energy and fuels: Organic chemistry is used in the development of new energy sources and fuels.

Definition and Scope

• Study of carbon-containing compounds, their properties, reactions, and synthesis.
• Organic compounds found in living organisms, but can also be synthesized in the laboratory.

Key Principles

• Carbon's unique ability to form long chains and rings allows for a vast diversity of organic compounds.
• Functional groups determine the chemical properties of an organic compound.
• Stereochemistry is the study of the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules.

Types of Organic Compounds

• Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g. methane, ethane).
• Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds (e.g. ethene, propene).
• Alkynes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds (e.g. ethyne, propyne).
• Arenes: Aromatic hydrocarbons with a planar, ring-shaped structure (e.g. benzene, toluene).
• Alcohols: Compounds with a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group (e.g. methanol, ethanol).
• Ethers: Compounds with an ether (-O-) functional group (e.g. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran).
• Amines: Compounds with an amino (-NH2) functional group (e.g. ammonia, trimethylamine).

Reactions in Organic Chemistry

• Substitution reactions: Replacement of a functional group by another functional group.
• Elimination reactions: Removal of a functional group, resulting in a new π bond.
• Addition reactions: Addition of a functional group to a molecule, resulting in a new σ bond.
• Oxidation and reduction reactions: Reactions involving the gain or loss of electrons.

Importance of Organic Chemistry

• Essential for the study of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
• Used in the development of new drugs and pharmaceuticals.
• Used in the development of new materials such as plastics, fibers, and adhesives.
• Used in the development of new energy sources and fuels.