Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry- The study of carbon & carbon compounds.

Organic compounds are the primary constituents of all living organisms.

Organic Compounds

• Covalently bonded compounds containing carbon, excluding carbonates and oxides.

• Few exceptions, such as Na₂CO₃, CO, and CO₂, that are considered inorganic.

• All organic compounds contain carbon atoms.

• Aspirin, polyethylene in plastic bags, citric acid in the fruit, and amino acids in animals are all examples of organic compounds.

Carbon atom is unique

• Ability to form long chains and rings of covalently bonded atoms.

• Catenation, the covalent bonding of an element to itself to form chains or rings.

• Carbon atoms bind readily to elements with similar electronegativities.

Carbon atom is unique

• Hydrocarbons are composed of only carbon and hydrogen; they are the simplest organic compounds

• Other organic compounds contain hydrocarbon backbones to which other elements, primarily O, N, S, and the halogens, are attached.

Carbon atom is unique

• Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds (4 valence electrons) with other carbon or other elements.

• The bonding capabilities of carbon also allow for different arrangements of atoms

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a unique nature of carbon?

• Forms 4 strong covalent bonds

• It can form only one type of bond

• It has the ability to form stable bonds with itself

• It can form multiple bonds

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an organic compound?

• NaHCO₃

• C₆H₁₂O₆

• CH₃COOH

• CH₃Cl

Multiple Choice

Which type of bonding is present within organic molecules?

• Covalent bond

• Ionic bond

• Metallic bond

• Hydrogen bond

Multiple Choice

How many unpaired electrons does carbon have when it is excited?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

This unique ability of carbon is defined as the ability of atoms to form stable bonds.

• Polar Bonding

• Carbonation

• Covalent Bonding

• Catenation

Multiple Choice

Which two elements do most organic compounds contain?

• Carbon and hydrogen

• Carbon and oxygen

• Oxygen and hydrogen

• Carbon and nitrogen

Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Mostly built up of only three elements- carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Other elements like halogen, nitrogen as well as phosphorous are also present but to a lesser extent.

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Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Possess complex structures and high molecular weights

• Their properties are decided by certain active atom or group of atoms known as the functional group.

• They are mostly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

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Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• They are combustible in nature

• They have low melting points – due to weak intermolecular forces.

• Chemical reactions involving organic compounds proceed at slower rates.

• They react slower than ionic compounds – due to strong covalent bonds between atoms.

Open Ended

Give at least four (4) characteristics of organic compounds.

Representing Organic Molecules

Simply shows the number of each type of atom present. It tells you nothing about the bonding within the compound

Representing Organic Molecules

Gives the simplest possible whole number ratio of the different types of atom within the compound.

Representing Organic Molecules

A text-based, each carbon atom is listed separately, with atoms attached to it following. An exception is cyclic parts of molecules, e.g. benzene, where the carbons are grouped.

Representing Organic Molecules

Shows all of the atoms and all of the bonds present in an organic compound. The bonds are represented as lines.

Representing Organic Molecules

Similar to the displayed formula-not all bonds are shown, although all atoms are still indicated using subscript numbers. Carbon-hydrogen bonds are often simplified.

Representing Organic Molecules

In a skeletal formula, most hydrogen atoms are omitted, and line ends or vertices represent carbons. Functional groups and atoms other than carbon or hydrogen are still shown. Easiest to draw & commonly used.

Multiple Choice

The formula is an example of ...

• Skeletal formula

• Structural formula

• Displayed formula

• Condensed formula

Multiple Choice

This represents a...

• Condensed formula

• Structural formula

• Displayed formula

• Skeletal formula

Multiple Choice

This is an example of...

• Molecular formula

• Empirical formula

• Condensed formula

• Displayed formula

Fill in the Blank

What is the molecular formula of the compound?

Open Ended

What have you learned from today's lesson? List as many as you can.