Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Allotropes of Carbon

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the history of organic chemistry, the properties and structures of carbon allotropes (Diamond, Graphite, Fullerenes), and the applications of nanotechnology.

Organic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with the structure, properties, reactions, and synthesis of compounds primarily made of carbon and hydrogen, often including elements like oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

Vitalism

The historical belief that organic chemicals could only originate from a "vital force" present in living organisms.

Friedrich Wöhler

The chemist who synthesized urea from ammonium cyanate (also described as carbon dioxide and ammonia) in 1828, disputing the vital force theory and marking the beginning of modern organic chemistry.

Catenation

The unique property of carbon that allows it to bond to itself in lengthy chains, forming the basis for millions of organic compounds.

Allotropy

The existence of two or more different physical forms of a chemical element in the same physical state, based on the arrangement of its atoms.

Diamond

An allotrope of carbon with a 3D tetrahedral structure ($sp^3$) that is the hardest known substance and acts as a bad conductor of electricity due to localized bonding electrons.

Properties of Diamond

Colorless, melting point of $3500^\text{o}C$, transparent to X-rays, and has a high refractive index of $2.45$.

Diamond Bond Specifications

Bond angle of $109.5^\text{o}$, bond length of $1.544\text{Å}$ (or $0.154\text{ }nm$), and bond energy of $347$.

Graphite

An allotrope of carbon consisting of layers of hexagonal planes ($sp^2$) where each carbon is bonded to 3 others via sigma bonds, with the fourth electron forming a delocalized p-system.

Graphite Physical Constants

Bond angle of $120^\text{o}$, C-C bond length of $1.42\text{Å}$, distance between layers of $3.35\text{Å}$, and density of $2.2\text{ }g/cm^3$.

Fullerenes

The fourth allotrope of carbon discovered in 1985, characterized by closed spherical, tubular, or ellipsoidal structures with a conjugated $\text{π}$ system.

Buckminsterfullerene ($C_{60}$)

A molecule shaped like a soccer ball (truncated icosahedron) made of 60 carbon atoms, named after architect Buckminster Fuller.

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)

Cylindrical fullerenes with high aspect ratios, exceptional tensile strength stronger than steel, and used in nanoelectronics and reinforcement composites.

Amorphous Carbon

An allotropic form of carbon with no defined structure, commonly used as activated carbon or charcoal.

Harold Kroto, Richard Smalley, and Robert Curl

The individuals who discovered fullerenes in 1985.

Single-Walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and Multi-Walled CNTs (MWCNTs)

The two primary types of cylindrical carbon nanostructures categorized under fullerenes.

Uses of Fullerenes in Medicine

Applications include drug delivery (encapsulation of therapeutic agents), photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment, and use as radical scavengers and antioxidants.

Functionalized Fullerenes

Fullerenes designed for specific chemical or biological targets, used in sensors for detecting pollutants and as metal-fullerene hybrids for selective catalysis.