Introduction to

Organic Chemistry
Origin of Organic Compounds
The term “organic” often conjures up
the image of life, something very
separate from inanimate or not
possessing any traits commonly
attributed to being alive. That is,
when something is alive and it
therefore is organic
Organic chemistry is the study of
compounds of carbon, with the
exception of carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, carbonates, hydrogen
carbonates (bicarbonates), and
cyanide. Oil is the primary source of
organic compounds .
Properties of Organic
Compounds

1. Nonelectrolytes a substance that does not

break up into ions when put into solution,

2. Insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar

solvents,

3. Liquids or low melting solids,

4. Quite volatile and flammable

Different structural formulas are
referred to as isomers. Isomers are
compound with the same molecular
formula but different structural
formulas.
To be specific, these should be
called structural isomers since there
are also other types of isomerism
possible.
Two points about isomers

1. The carbon are not actually in a

straight chain since the angles in
the compound ( ) shown in the
previous slide, for example are
actually 109°. Therefore, we often
refer to the longest continuous
chain in a compound.
2. In considering these isomers it is
important that you can distinguish which
are actually different isomers.

The best way to determine this is to note

whether the structural formula has been
changed simply by turning the molecule
around or bending it (in which case the
two forms are not isomers) or whether a
bond would need to be broken to change
from one form to the other.
Are not different
isomers
However:

Are
different
isomers.
It is often helpful to make
some models of these in
order to become familiar
with the concept. Consider
the following problem
example involving
structural formulas.
Which of the following represent the
same compound?
a) b)

c) d)
 Exceptions:
oxidesof carbon (CO2, CO)
carbonates,bicarbonates(NaHCO3,
CaCO3)
cyanides (NaCN, etc)

One C with no H, or with metal

• Carbon can form four bonds…
C C C
C C
Carbon forms four bonds
 Carbon can form four bonds, and forms strong covalent
bonds with other elements
 This can be represented in many ways …

O Cl CH3 CH3
H Cl
C C CH C
H3C CH3
C C Cl C CH
CH3 CH3
H H CH CH

CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH3

H3C CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2
Functional groups
 Functional groups are parts of molecules that result in
characteristic features
 About 100 functional groups exist, we will focus on about 10
 Useful to group the infinite number of possible organic
compounds
 E.g. the simplest group is hydrocarbons
 Made up of only C and H
 Not really a functional “group”
 Further divided into:
Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes,
Aromatics
 Hydrocarbons
Alkanes C C Alkenes C C
H H H H H H H H
H C C C C C H H C C C C C H
H H H H H H H H H H

Alkynes C C Aromatics H
H C H
H H H C C
H C C C C C H C C
H C H
H H H
H
Functional groups

Alcohols- These contain the (-OH). Aromatic alcohols are called

phenols.

Ethers- These contain an oxygen, joining two other organic

groups (-o-).

Acids- These contain the carbonyl group

(-C-OH).
O
Aldehydes and Ketones- These contain the carbonyl
group (-C-).
O
Amines- Contain nitrogen (-N-)/derivatives of ammonia
 Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl
 There are other names that describe patterns of
atoms that are parts of functional groups.
 “Hydroxyl” refers to –OH
 “Carbonyl” refers to C=O
 “Carboxyl” refers to COOH
Q: which functional groups contain a hydroxyl group?
A carbonyl group? A carboxyl group?
Hydroxyl: alcohols, carboxylic acids. Carbonyl:
aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, amides, esters.
Carboxyl: carboxylic acids
Note that properties such as boiling and melting point
change due to functional groups
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