Carbon Chemistry

• Carbon is the backbone of biological molecules

• All living organisms are made up of chemicals based mostly on the element carbon

• Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds

• Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms

• Carbon compounds range from simple molecules to complex ones

• Carbon has four valence electrons and may from single, double, triple, or quadruple bonds

• The bonding versatility of carbon allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeleton

• The electron configuration of carbon gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements

• Carbon may bond to itself, forming carbon chains

• Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules

• Carbon chains vary in length and shape

Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen

• Hydrocarbons are found in many of a cell’s organic molecules

Isomers

• Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties

• Three types of isomers are

  • Structural

  • Geometric

  • Enantiomers

    • Important in the pharmaceutical industry

Functional groups

• Functional groups are the parts of molecules involved in chemical reactions

• They are the chemically reactive groups of atoms within an organic molecule

• Each organic molecule has distinctive chemical properties