Organic Chemistry Basics

Study Notes

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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.