Some Basic Principles

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing molecules’ structure, characteristics, content, reactions, and manufacture. Carbon is a special element because it has a chemical variety that no other chemical element can match. The following factors contribute to its diversity:

• Carbon atoms have a relatively strong connection with one another.
• Carbon atoms have a strong connection with the atoms of other elements.
• Carbon atoms form covalent bonds in huge numbers (four).

Because most organic molecules are covalent compounds, we will start with organic chemistry, basic principles, and techniques. Despite including carbon, molecules with carbonate and bicarbonate ions and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are not considered part of organic chemistry.

Organic compounds – Basic Characteristics :-

1. Carbon compounds containing H, 0, N, S, P, F, CI, Br, and I.
2. These are present in most living organisms, carbs, proteins, etc.
3. These can be liquids, gases, or solids.
4. Because they are covalent, they have a low boiling and melting point and are soluble in organic solvents.
5. They are usually flammable and volatile.
6. Because there are no free ions, they do not conduct electricity.
7. They have a distinct appearance and odour.

Classification of Organic Compounds :-

The following is how organic compounds are classified:

• Acyclic or open chain compounds: Aliphatic compounds are a type of acyclic or open-chain chemical. They have chains that are either straight or branching. Examples are ethane, isobutane, propane, acetic acid, and other gases.

• Alicyclic or closed chain or ring compounds: Alicyclic or closed chain or ring compounds are cyclic compounds with carbon atoms connected in a ring. They are also known as homocyclic. When atoms other than carbon atoms are present, they are called heterocyclic. For instance, cyclopropane, cyclohexene, tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran.

• Aromatic compounds are cyclic chemicals that include benzene and other ring-related molecules. They can have heteroatoms in the ring, just as closed chain compounds. Heterocyclic aromatic compounds are a type of heterocyclic chemical. Because aromatic chemicals have a powerful odour, they are called aromatic compounds. Benzene, aniline, naphthalene, and other similar chemicals are examples.

Nomenclature in Organic Chemistry :-

Common name: Organic compounds were previously named after their sources of origin; for example, urea was named thus, because it was collected from the urine of mammals. Formic acid was derived from red ants, also called Formica.

The IUPAC is an acronym for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The name of an organic compound has three parts according to the IUPAC system: (i)word root (ii) the suffix (iii) the prefix.

(i) Word root: The number of carbon atoms in the major chain, which is the longest possible chain of carbon atoms, is represented by the word root.

(ii) Suffix: There are two sorts of suffix: primary and secondary. 

1. Primary suffix: It denotes the type of carbon atom link.
2. Secondary suffix: It represents the functional group.

(iii) Prefix: A prefix appears before the word root in an IUPAC name. There are two sorts of prefixes:

1. Sidechains, substituents, and less priority functional groups are indicated by the prefix (that are considered as substituents). The prefix may come before the term root or the IUPAC name infix.
2. Secondary prefixes identify functional groups that are termed substituents.

For example:

Substituted Group Secondary prefix

— F – Fluoro

— Cl – Chloro

— Br – Bromo

— NO – Nitroso

— NO2 – Nitro

— CH3 – Methyl

— OCH3 – Methoxy

The Naming of Functional Group-containing Compounds :-

The functional group is connected to the carbon atoms with the lowest possible number in the longest chain of carbon atoms carrying the functional group.

When it comes to polyfunctional compounds, one of the functional groups is chosen as the primary functional group, and the molecule is named after it. The order of preference is used to determine the primary functional group.

Isomerism :-

Isomerism refers to two or more compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural formulas and physical and chemical properties. Isomers are the name for such compounds.

There are two types:

(1) Structural isomerism: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas differing in the arrangement of atoms demonstrate structural isomerism.

(2) Stereoisomerism: This phenomenon occurs when isomerism is induced by various configurations of atoms or groups in space. The stereoisomers contain the same structural formula, but their atoms are arranged differently in space. There are two types of stereoisomerism:

1. Geometrical isomerism
2. Optical isomerism

Conclusion

Organic chemistry is the branch of science concerned with the structure, characteristics, and relations of organic molecules with covalent carbon bonds. It is possible to deduce their structural formula by looking at their structure. Physical and chemical qualities and chemical reactivity are studied to understand their behaviour better.

The chemical creation of natural commodities, medicines, and polymers and the experimental and theoretical research of individual organic molecules are all examples of organic processes.

Isomerism occurs when two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas and physical and chemical properties. Such compounds are called isomers.