Development and Importance of Organic Chemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering the history, synthesis milestones, medical significance, and functional groups of organic chemistry.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-based compounds or the chemistry of carbon together with other elements like $H$, $O$, $N$, and $S$.

Vital Force Theory (Theory of Vitalism)

The initial belief that organic chemicals could only be generated from living organisms because they required a "vital" force and could not be synthesized from inorganic substances in a laboratory.

Frederick Wohler

A German Chemist who in 1828 debunked the Vital Force Theory by synthesizing urea from the inorganic compound ammonium cyanate ($NH_4^+CNO^-$).

Urea

An organic compound and amide of carbonic acid with the formula $(NH_2)_2-C=O$ or $NH_2-CO-NH_2$.

Hermann Kolbe

A chemist who in 1845 synthesized acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$) from carbon disulfide ($CS_2$) and chlorine.

Marcelin Berthelot

A scientist who in 1856 synthesized methane ($CH_4$) by passing hydrogen sulphide ($H_2S$) and carbon disulphide ($CS_2$) vapours over red hot copper.

Catenation

The unique capacity of carbon atoms to engage in chemical bonding with other carbon atoms to construct extensive chains.

Pathophysiology

The study of abnormal physiological processes or functional changes in body tissues, cells, and organs due to disease, injury, or infection.

Gout

A painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused by an abnormality in purine metabolism where uric acid builds up and forms sharp crystals in joints instead of converting to urea.

Purine

A heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the formula $C_5H_4N_4$ involved in metabolism.

Sodium benzoate

An organic preservative with the formula $C_6H_5NaO_3$ used to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent food spoilage.

Petroleum ether

An organic solvent used as a cleansing agent to remove fatty substances from plant pulp during drug extraction.

Ethylene oxide

An organic gas employed as a sterilizing agent for pharmaceutical items due to its specific pH and solubility properties.

Alkanals (Aldehydes)

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group ($C=O$) bonded to at least one hydrogen ($H$), represented as $R-CHO$.

Alkanones (Ketones)

Organic compounds where the carbonyl group ($C=O$) is bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups, represented as $R-CO-R$.

Alkyl Group

Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chains derived from alkanes with the general formula $C_nH_{2n+1}$, such as methyl ($-CH_3$) or ethyl ($-C_2H_5$).

Aryl Group

Unsaturated aromatic rings derived from aromatic hydrocarbons by removing a hydrogen atom, with the general formula $C_nH_{2n-5}$, such as phenyl ($-C_6H_5$).

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

A food flavor enhancer composed of sodium and the amino acid glutamate ($Na + \text{amino acid glutamate}$).

Medicinal Chemistry

A discipline of organic chemistry that focuses on investigating chemical properties of pharmaceuticals to improve effectiveness and target organ delivery.

Cholesterol

An organic molecule with the formula $C_{27}H_{46}O$ whose levels are measured in cardiac patients through analysis of esters and carboxylic acids.