What is Organic Chemistry?

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the study of the structure,
properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds that by definition
contain carbon.

What are organic compounds?

Organic compounds are compounds based on carbon. They contain carbon and
hydrogen. They can also contain other nonmetal elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, or
halogen atoms. Hydrocarbons and proteins are good examples of organic molecules that can
form long chains and complex structures.
Properties of Organic Compounds
1. Solubility- is defined as the maximum mass of a substance that can be dissolved in a
fixed mass of a solvent at a given temperature. A substance will have a different
solubility in different solvents depending on polarity of both the substance and the
solvent.

2. Polarity- it is basically the separation of an electric charge which leads a molecule to

have a positive and negative end. Most organic compounds are nonpolar and thus do
not mix with polar molecules like water. Therefore, organic substances, are insoluble in
water. However, they are soluble in nonpolar solvents. Most ionic substances, on the
other hand, are soluble in water and insoluble in nonpolar solvents.

3. Melting point- is the temperature range over which the solid melts to become a liquid.
Organic compounds have relatively low melting points. However, ionic compounds are
all solids at room temperature with very high melting points.

4. Boiling point- is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the
external pressure surrounding the liquid. Organic compounds have relatively low
boiling points.

5. Conductivity- compounds that conduct a current are held together by electrostatic

forces or attraction. Strong electrolytes tend to be inorganic compounds, meaning that
they lack carbon atoms. Organic compounds, or carbon-containing compounds, are
often weak electrolytes or are nonconductive.

6. Viscosity- it is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. When the intermolecular forces

of attraction are strong within a liquid, there is a larger viscosity.

7. Volatility- a substance is said to be volatile if it boils at a low temperature, changing

from the liquid to the gas phase. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic
chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature
.
8. Flammability- organic compounds are extremely flammable. Organic compounds burn
in the presence of oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.

9. Chemical bonds- these are the connections between atoms in a molecule. They
include both strong intramolecular interactions, such as covalent and ionic bonds. They
are related to weaker intermolecular forces, such as dipole-dipole interactions, the
London dispersion forces, and hydrogen bonding. Organic compounds consist of
individual molecules held together by covalent bonds. The attractive forces between
molecules consist of relatively weak London dispersion forces.