4.1 Intro to Organic Chemistry

What is organic chemistry

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing atoms, with a few exceptions, being

• Cyanides (CN⁻)

• Carbonates (CO₃²⁺)

• Oxides of Carbon (CO₂)

What was the previously believed theory regarding inorganic and organic compounds, and who disproved it?

Early chemists believed substances were either organic or inorganic and were unable to synthesize organic materials. Therefore, they believed only living things could convert inorganic → organic.

Wohler, in 1828, proved this theory wrong by converting inorganic ammonium cyanate into organic urea.

What defines an organic compound?

There isn’t a fixed line between inorganic and organic chemistry, but the general consensus is that an organic compound must contain a carbon atom but not be one of the three aforementioned exceptions.

The three exceptions are not included in the definition of organic chemistry, as they have different physical and chemical properties and hence do not follow the trends exhibited by regular organic compounds.

What are the three properties of carbon that give rise to so many unique organic compounds

• Having 4 valence electrons, it is easy for carbon to covalently bond to other carbon atoms and form long chains with itself.

• Carbon’s EN is only slightly different from nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur, so it is easy for carbon to covalently bond to these elements.

• Carbon’s geometry permits bonding to take place in virtually any orientation.

What are the six main ways to represent carbon structures

• complete structural diagram

• condensed structural diagram

• Line structural diagram

• molecular formula

• expanded molecular formula

• IUPAC name

more detailed examples in notes

what are the 10 organic prefixes

1. Meth-

2. Eth-

3. Prop-

4. But-

5. Pent-

6. Hex-

7. Hept-

8. Oct-

9. Non-

10. Dec-

The number represents the amount of carbons bonded

What is a structural isomer, and why is it important to distinguish between isomers.,

Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.

Because they have different structures, they have different physical and chemical properties.