Organic Chemistry Fundamentals

Definition: The study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties.
Key Features:
- Contains carbon atoms, often bonded to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
- Forms the basis of life (biomolecules).
Functional Groups:
- Hydroxyl (-OH)
- Carbonyl (C=O)
- Carboxyl (-COOH)
- Amino (-NH2)
- Alkyl groups (e.g., -CH3, -C2H5)
Isomerism:
- Structural isomers: Different connectivity of atoms.
- Stereoisomers: Same connectivity, different spatial arrangement (e.g., cis/trans, enantiomers).
Reactions:
- Addition reactions (e.g., alkenes)
- Substitution reactions (e.g., aromatic compounds)
- Elimination reactions (e.g., alcohols to alkenes)
- Rearrangement reactions (e.g., isomerization)
Polymers: Large molecules made of repeating units (monomers) – e.g., polyethylene, proteins.
Biochemistry: Study of organic compounds in biological systems (e.g., carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).

Definition: The study of inorganic compounds, typically those that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.
Key Features:
- Includes metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds.
- Focuses on materials and their properties and reactions.
Categories:
- Salts: Compounds formed from the reaction of acids and bases.
- Metals and Alloys: Elements like iron, copper, and their mixtures.
- Coordination Compounds: Complexes formed by metal ions and ligands.
Periodic Table:
- Elements categorized into groups (columns) and periods (rows).
- Trends: Electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Reactions:
- Redox reactions: Involve transfer of electrons (oxidation and reduction).
- Acid-base reactions: Involve proton transfer (Brønsted-Lowry theory).
Applications:
- Catalysis: Use of substances to accelerate chemical reactions (e.g., catalysts in industrial processes).
- Materials Science: Study of inorganic materials for construction, electronics, etc.

Core Focus: Emphasizes the study of carbon-containing compounds, which are crucial for life.
Key Elements: Carbon atoms predominantly bond with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Functional Groups:
- Hydroxyl (-OH): Characteristic of alcohols.
- Carbonyl (C=O): Found in ketones and aldehydes.
- Carboxyl (-COOH): Defining feature of carboxylic acids.
- Amino (-NH2): Basis of amines and amino acids.
- Alkyl Groups: Hydrocarbon chains (e.g., -CH3 for methyl, -C2H5 for ethyl).
Types of Isomerism:
- Structural Isomers: Variations in atom connectivity, leading to different compounds.
- Stereoisomers: Identical connectivity but differing spatial arrangements, including cis/trans and enantiomers.
Types of Reactions:
- Addition Reactions: Common in alkenes where atoms are added to a molecule.
- Substitution Reactions: Occur in aromatic compounds, where a portion of the compound is replaced by another.
- Elimination Reactions: Example includes conversion from alcohols to alkenes.
- Rearrangement Reactions: Involve isomerization and structural reconfiguration.
Polymers: Comprised of long chains of monomers; notable examples include polyethylene used in plastics and proteins essential in biological systems.
Biochemistry Connection: Integrates the study of organic compounds within biological processes, focusing on key biomolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Core Focus: Concentrates on inorganic compounds, especially those lacking carbon-hydrogen bonds.
Key Elements: Includes a variety of substances such as metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds focusing on their properties and reactions.
Compounds Classification:
- Salts: Result from acid-base reactions, such as sodium chloride.
- Metals and Alloys: Metallic elements (iron, copper) and their mixtures used in various applications.
- Coordination Compounds: Formed from metal ions bonded to ligands, playing crucial roles in catalysis and biological functions.
Periodic Table Insights:
- Organized into groups (vertical columns) and periods (horizontal rows), categorizing elements based on similar chemical properties.
- Important trends include electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Types of Reactions:
- Redox Reactions: Involve electron transfer processes, crucial in energy conversion and metabolism.
- Acid-Base Reactions: Governed by the Brønsted-Lowry theory, emphasizing proton transfer.
Real-World Applications:
- Catalysis: Involves using catalysts to speed up chemical reactions, vital in industrial processes.
- Materials Science: Focuses on the study and development of inorganic materials, impacting construction, electronics, and various technologies.

Study focuses on carbon-containing compounds, exploring their properties, structures, and reactions.
Functional Groups: Essential for categorizing organic compounds, examples include alcohols, carboxylic acids, and amines.
Hydrocarbons: Compounds that consist only of hydrogen and carbon, classified as alkanes (single bonds), alkenes (double bonds), and alkynes (triple bonds).
Isomerism: Occurs when compounds share the same molecular formula yet differ in structure; includes structural isomers and stereoisomers.
Reactions: Major categories include addition reactions (combining reactants), elimination reactions (removing components), substitution reactions (exchanging parts), and redox reactions (electron transfer).
Nomenclature: IUPAC rules dictate the systematic naming convention for organic compounds, ensuring clear communication in chemistry.
Stereochemistry: Investigates how the spatial arrangement of atoms affects the chemical properties and biological activity of molecules.

Focuses on inorganic compounds largely devoid of carbon-hydrogen bonds.
Coordination Compounds: Formed from metal ions bonded to ligands, which donate electron pairs and create complex structures.
Metallic Bonding: Characterized by a collective "sea" of electrons, allowing metals to conduct electricity and maintain malleability.
Acids and Bases:
- Arrhenius Theory: Defines acids as substances that release H⁺ ions and bases as those that produce OH⁻ ions in aqueous solutions.
- Brønsted-Lowry Theory: Expands definitions by viewing acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors, emphasizing the transfer of hydrogen ions.
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions: Involves the transfer of electrons between reactants, resulting in changes in oxidation states.
Periodic Trends: Highlights patterns in properties such as electronegativity (atom's ability to attract electrons), atomic radius (size of an atom), and ionization energy (energy required to remove an electron).
Common Inorganic Compounds: Includes foundational examples like sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H₂O), and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).