Organic Chemistry: Carbon Compounds

Carbon Compounds

Organic Chemistry

• 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)

Allotropes

• Allotropes are different physical forms of an element, in this case, carbon.
• Three main allotropes of carbon:
  1. Diamond:
     • Hardest naturally occurring substance
     • High thermal conductivity
     • High melting and boiling points
  2. Graphite:
     • Soft, slippery, and grayish-black
     • Good conductor of electricity
     • Low thermal conductivity
  3. Fullerenes:
     • Molecules composed of 60 or more carbon atoms
     • Spherical or cylindrical shape
     • Exhibits unique physical and chemical properties

Nomenclature

• 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

Carbon Compounds

Organic Chemistry

• 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

• 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

Nomenclature

• 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