ZAMZAM

UNIVERSITY
Organic
CHEMISTR
YChapter 1
Lecturer:

Feysal Muse Osman

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 Introduction to organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of
carbon and its compounds.
Carbon is the basic element of organic
chemistry.
The word carbon is derived from the
Latin word ‘carbo’ which means coal.
Carbon has a chemical symbol of C and
atomic number of 6. 3
 Discovery of organic chemistry
Previously, chemicals were classified into
two:
b) Organic compounds:
• These are compounds obtained from
plants and animals (living things).
b) Inorganic compounds
• These are compounds obtained from
minerals. 4
 Discovery of organic chemistry
In 1815 John Jacob
Berzelius proposed a
vital force theory.
The vital force theory states that ‘all
organic compounds are made in the
presence of vital force which is only present
in the body of living things’.
This means “only living things could make 6

organic compounds”.
Friedrich Wohler, in
1828 prepared urea, an
organic compound, from
two inorganic compounds.
He mixed ammonium
chloride and silver
cyanate.
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He heated the ammonium cyanate
product to become urea.

Wohler disproved the vital force theory

and urea was the first organic compound 8
 Sources of organic compounds
Organic compounds have unique sources.
These are:
A. Living organisms
B. Petroleum, natural gas and coal
C. Carbonized organic matter.

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 Importance of organic compounds
1. Chemical fertilizers which enhance plant
growth and crop yields are organic
compounds.
2. Energy used in our homes is obtained from
organic compounds.
3. Drugs such as painkillers and antibiotics are
made from organic compounds.
4. Nutrients we eat like carbs, lipids and proteins 11
are organic compounds.
 Properties of carbon
• Carbon is the principle element of
organic chemistry.
• Carbon forms millions of compounds
because of:
a) Its ability to combine itself and other
elements to form open, closed and
branched structures.
b) Its ability of bonding with four carbon 13
or other atoms.
 Hydrocarbons
 Compounds containing carbon and
hydrogen only are called hydrocarbons.
 Hydrocarbons are the main sources of
fuel for our industries.
 Their natural sources are: petroleum, coal
and natural gas.

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 Hydrocarbons
 Hydrocarbons are divided into two:
a) Saturated hydrocarbons: which contain
C-C single bond. e.g. alkanes
b) Unsaturated hydrocarbons: which
contain multiple bonds.
• Alkenes, alkynes and aromatics are
unsaturated hydrocarbons.
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