Topic 1.2 - Elements of Life

^^Organic Chemistry^^: The study of compounds with covalently bonded carbon

^^Organic compounds^^: Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen

  • Carbon has fourvalenceelectronsfour valence electrons, which allows it to form diverse molecules because it still has 4 electrons remaining in its outer shell.

Single, double, or triple covalent bonds can be formed with carbon

  • AsinglecarboncanformuptofourbondsA single carbon can form up to four bonds
  • Allows for long chains to be formed by linking carbon molecules together

Most commonly formed with hydrogenhydrogen, oxygenoxygen, and nitrogennitrogen

  • Type and number of bonds carbon forms affects the lengthofthe<strong>carbonchain</strong>length of the <strong>carbon chain</strong> and the <strong>shape</strong>ofthemolecule.<strong>shape</strong> of the molecule.

 

^^Hydrocarbons^^: Organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen

  • Framework/skeletons for more complex molecules

They vary in length, branching, double bond positions, and presence of rings.

 

^^Functional groups^^: Chemical groups attached to the skeleton that participate in chemical reactions.