Organic Compounds and Functional Groups

Organic Compounds

• Definition: Organic compounds are carbon-based compounds that contain hydrogen and may contain other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.
• Characteristics:
  • Typically have a low melting point and boiling point
  • Are often insoluble in water
  • Can be found in living organisms and fossil fuels

Functional Groups

• Definition: Functional groups are specific groups of atoms that determine the chemical properties of an organic compound.
• Examples:
  • Hydroxyl (-OH) group: found in alcohols
  • Carboxyl (-COOH) group: found in carboxylic acids
  • Amino (-NH2) group: found in amines
  • Methyl (-CH3) group: found in many organic compounds

Hydrocarbons

• Definition: Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that consist only of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
• Types:
  • Saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes): have only single bonds between carbon atoms
  • Unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes and alkynes): have one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms
  • Aromatic hydrocarbons: have a planar ring structure with alternating double bonds

Biomolecules

• Definition: Biomolecules are organic compounds that are found in living organisms.
• Types:
  • Carbohydrates: provide energy and structure for cells (e.g. glucose, cellulose)
  • Proteins: perform a wide range of functions in cells (e.g. enzymes, hormones)
  • Lipids: provide energy and structure for cells (e.g. fats, oils)
  • Nucleic acids: contain genetic information (e.g. DNA, RNA)

Isomerism

• Definition: Isomerism is the phenomenon of having two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.
• Types:
  • Structural isomerism: different bond connections between atoms
  • Stereoisomerism: different spatial arrangements of atoms in space

Reactions

• Types:
  • Combustion reactions: involve the reaction of an organic compound with oxygen to produce heat and light
  • Synthesis reactions: involve the formation of a new compound from smaller molecules
  • Decomposition reactions: involve the breakdown of a compound into smaller molecules

Organic Compounds

• Are carbon-based compounds that contain hydrogen and may contain other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.
• Typically have a low melting point and boiling point.
• Are often insoluble in water.
• Can be found in living organisms and fossil fuels.

Functional Groups

• Are specific groups of atoms that determine the chemical properties of an organic compound.
• Hydroxyl (-OH) group is found in alcohols.
• Carboxyl (-COOH) group is found in carboxylic acids.
• Amino (-NH2) group is found in amines.
• Methyl (-CH3) group is found in many organic compounds.

Hydrocarbons

• Are organic compounds that consist only of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
• Saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes) have only single bonds between carbon atoms.
• Unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes and alkynes) have one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.
• Aromatic hydrocarbons have a planar ring structure with alternating double bonds.

Biomolecules

• Are organic compounds that are found in living organisms.
• Carbohydrates provide energy and structure for cells (e.g. glucose, cellulose).
• Proteins perform a wide range of functions in cells (e.g. enzymes, hormones).
• Lipids provide energy and structure for cells (e.g. fats, oils).
• Nucleic acids contain genetic information (e.g. DNA, RNA).

Isomerism

• Is the phenomenon of having two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.
• Structural isomerism involves different bond connections between atoms.
• Stereoisomerism involves different spatial arrangements of atoms in space.

Reactions

• Combustion reactions involve the reaction of an organic compound with oxygen to produce heat and light.
• Synthesis reactions involve the formation of a new compound from smaller molecules.
• Decomposition reactions involve the breakdown of a compound into smaller molecules.