Topic 2: Elements of Life

Carbon

organic compounds: compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen

Carbon has 4 valence electrons

• can form up to single, double, or triple covalent bonds

organic chemistry: the study of compounds with covalently bonded carbon

Carbon is most commonly formed with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

^{——> The type and number of covalent bonds carbon forms with other atoms affects the length of the carbon chain and shape of the molecule}

^{Carbon Chains}

Carbon can use its valence electrons to form covalent bonds to other carbons

• This links carbon into a chain

Hydrocarbons—- organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen( think: simple frame work for more complex organic molecules

Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules

Skeletons can vary in :

-length

-branching

-double bond positions

-presence of rings

Functional groups: chemical groups to the carbon skeleton that participates in chemical reactions