Organic Chemistry: Carbon Compounds

Study Notes

Carbon compounds that contain hydrogen and other elements (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur) are classified as organic compounds.
These compounds are typically found in living organisms and are essential for life processes.
Characteristics of organic compounds:
- Have covalent bonds between atoms
- Typically have low melting and boiling points
- Are insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents
- Can be combusted to produce energy
Examples of organic compounds:
- Carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, starch)
- Proteins (e.g., amino acids, enzymes)
- Lipids (e.g., fats, oils, waxes)
- Nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, RNA)

Systematic naming of carbon compounds based on their structure and properties.
Rules for naming carbon compounds:
- Identify the parent chain (longest continuous chain of carbon atoms)
- Number the parent chain to identify the location of functional groups
- Identify and name functional groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl)
- Use prefixes and suffixes to indicate the presence of functional groups
Examples of carbon compound nomenclature:
- Methane (CH4) - simplest hydrocarbon
- Ethanol (C2H5OH) - alcohol with a two-carbon chain
- Hexane (C6H14) - saturated hydrocarbon with a six-carbon chain

Organic compounds contain hydrogen and other elements, are found in living organisms, and are essential for life processes.
Characteristics of organic compounds:
- Have covalent bonds between atoms
- Typically have low melting and boiling points
- Are insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents
- Can be combusted to produce energy
Examples of organic compounds include:
- Carbohydrates (e.g. glucose, starch)
- Proteins (e.g. amino acids, enzymes)
- Lipids (e.g. fats, oils, waxes)
- Nucleic acids (e.g. DNA, RNA)

Allotropes are different physical forms of an element, in this case, carbon.
Three main allotropes of carbon:
- Diamond: hardest naturally occurring substance, high thermal conductivity, high melting and boiling points
- Graphite: soft, slippery, and grayish-black, good conductor of electricity, low thermal conductivity
- Fullerenes: molecules composed of 60 or more carbon atoms, spherical or cylindrical shape, exhibits unique physical and chemical properties

Systematic naming of carbon compounds based on their structure and properties.
Rules for naming carbon compounds include:
- Identify the parent chain (longest continuous chain of carbon atoms)
- Number the parent chain to identify the location of functional groups
- Identify and name functional groups (e.g. methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl)
- Use prefixes and suffixes to indicate the presence of functional groups
Examples of carbon compound nomenclature include:
- Methane (CH4): simplest hydrocarbon
- Ethanol (C2H5OH): alcohol with a two-carbon chain
- Hexane (C6H14): saturated hydrocarbon with a six-carbon chain