Introduction to organic chemistry 1

Organic chemistry- branch of chemistry that deals with compounds of carbon

Vital force theory- Organic compounds originated from living materials and such materials
possess vital force.
Friedrich Wohler- Synthesis of urea
Berthelot- prepared ethylene

Characteristics of organic compound

- Readily burn to form carbon dioxide, water, and other products

- Usually exist as gases, liquids, and low melting solids.
- Less stable towards heat than inorganic compounds
- Form of molecules and covalently bonded
- Less reactive and form compounds of greater complexity
- Less soluble in water but soluble in organic solvents
- Exhibit isomerism

Classification of organic compounds

1. Aliphatic- straight or branched (i.e. CH4)

2. Aromatic- cyclic compounds with agreeable aroma (i.e. C6H6)

Divisions of organic compounds

I. Hydrocarbons
a. Aliphatic
o Alkanes- single bond, CnH2n+2
o Alkenes- double bond, CnH2n
o Alkadienes- two double bonds, CnH2n-2
o Alkynes- triple bond, CnH2n-2
b. Cyclic
o Aromatic- conjugated double bonds in a ring system, follow Huckel’s
rule 4n+2= # Π e-
o Alicyclic- compounds containing carbon atoms in a ring system
 Cycloalkanes
 Cycloalkenes
 Introduction to organic chemistry 2

o Heterocyclic- cyclic compounds containing atoms other than Carbon. (i.e.

purine)

II. Hydrocarbon Derivatives

a. Halogen derivative – Alkyl halides (R-X)
b. Hydroxy derivatives – Alcohols (R-OH), Phenols (Ar-OH)
c. Ethers- (R-O-R), epoxides
d. Carbonyl compounds- Aldehydes (RCHO), Ketones (R-CO-R)
e. Carboxylic acids- (RCOOH)
f. Derivatives of carboxylic acids
1. Acid derivatives
Salts- RCOOM
Esters- RCOOR’
Acyl halide- RCOCl
Acid amide- RCONH2
Acid anhydride- (RCO)2O
2. Substituted acid
Amino acid
Hydoxy acid
Cyano acid
Halogen substituted
g. Nitrogen containing compounds
Amines
Nitrosamines
Nitroalkanes
Nitriles or cyanide
h. Sulfur containing compounds
Sulfonic acid
Thioalcohols or mecaptans
III. Biomolecules
a. Nucleic acids
b. Proteins
 Introduction to organic chemistry 3

c. Carbohydrates
d. Lipids
e. Hormones, enzymes, coenzymes, energy rich compounds and vitamins