Chapter 21: Organic Chemistry

Study of carbon containing compounds.

Hydrocarbons: Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons differ in the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms per molecule. Molecules with the same molecular formula (same number of carbon atoms and same number of hydrogen atoms) but differ in their chemical structures are structural isomers.

Saturated Hydrocarbons: A hydrocarbon where each carbon is bonded to four other atoms.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: A hydrocarbon where each carbon is not bonded to four other atoms.

Special case of unsaturated hydrocarbons is benzene, C₆H₆. Due to electron migration (electrons 'flow' completely around the carbon structor, from one carbon atom to another), the double bonds move.

The circle represents the fact the double bonds keep moving. Benzenes flat shape allows it to slice through other molecules.

Heteroatom: Organic molecule with atoms other than carbon and hydrogen, nitrogen of oxygen for example. Organic molecules can be classified by which heteroatoms they contain, and how they bond with the carbon framework.

Alcohols, Ethers, and Amines: Alcohols are organic molecules with an oxygen molecule bonded to one carbon molecule. Ethers have the oxygen bonded to two different carbon molecules. Amines are organic compounds that contain nitrogen.

Carbonyl-Containing Organic Molecules: A carbonyl consists of a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom. A ketone is a type of organic molecule in which the carbon part to the carbonyl is bonded to two other carbon atoms. An aldehyde is a type of organic molecule in which the carbon part to the carbonyl is bonded to another carbon atom as well as a hydrogen atom. When the carbon of the carbonyl group is bonded to nitrogen, a group called amide is formed. A carboxylic acid is a type of organic molecule in which the carbon part of the carbonyl is bonded with the oxygen part of a hydroxide (OH).

Biomolecules: Organic molecules found in living matter. Three important classes are carbohydrates, fats, proteins.

Carbohydrates have the form C_x(H₂O)_Y, where x and y are integers.

Fats are similar to carbohydrates in that they are made up of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon.

Proteins are made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and occasionally sulfur. Structure is usually very complex.