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Chemistry encompasses an array of branches, one of them being organic chemistry. Organic chemistry deals with the study of organic compounds. In a more detailed manner, it is the study of the properties, structure, reaction, composition and preparation of organic compounds.
But what are these organic compounds?
Organic compounds form the basics of organic chemistry. They are these large class compounds containing carbon atoms, covalently linked to atoms of other elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, silicon, phosphorus etc. The study of organic chemistry is more qualitative rather than quantitative. Inorganic chemistry, while studying the structure of the compound, we get to know its structural formula.
Organic chemistry makes us understand the synthesis of organic compounds, the bonds created between carbon atoms, the physical and chemical properties of these compounds, and their kinetics and speed of reaction, amongst others. The nomenclature of these organic compounds follows systematic rules set by the IUPAC or non-systematic nomenclature, which is simpler to use and understand.
But, before we classify these organic compounds based on different variables, let us understand the use of these organic compounds. The organic chemistry definition describes organic compounds as compounds containing carbon forming covalent bonds with atoms of other elements. These organic compounds, which are present all around us, are used for multiple purposes. Biotechnology, Biochemistry, health sciences, agriculture, petroleum, and such industries, which are vital for the growth of the nation’s economy, are all dependent on these organic compounds.
Classification of organic compounds
The basics of organic chemistry are based on the classification of these compounds, which is based on the concept of functional groups. These functional groups help predict the properties of organic compounds and also help classify the structures. They refer to a specific arrangement and bonds between atoms, giving rise to compounds with specific physical and chemical properties. In organic chemistry, the most common functional groups are alcohols, carbonyls, carboxylic acids, amides and esters. While understanding the compound, the first carbon atom that attaches to a functional group is termed alpha carbon; the second is termed beta carbon and so on. The same functional group, the ones we listed above, will behave in a very similar pattern. No matter which compounds they are a part of, they would undergo similar processes and reactions.
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are a type of organic compounds which are made up of only the elements hydrogen and carbon. It contains one or more than one central carbon atoms attached to other hydrogen atoms with the help of chain-like structures. Hydrocarbons can be largely classified into alkanes. Alkenes, alkynes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons as they have single bonds between the carbon atoms. Alkenes and alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons as they have two and three bonds between the atoms. Aromatic hydrocarbons are the ones that consist of a minimum of one aromatic ring. These hydrocarbons can be present in all three states of matter, being solid, liquids or gases.
One interesting property of carbon is its ability to form chains that are linked to each other by carbon-to-carbon bonds. These networks are termed polymers.
Organic reactions
Organic compounds undergo organic reactions. There are various kinds of organic reactions, including addition reactions, elimination reactions, substitution reactions, condensation reactions, rearrangement reactions and radical reactions.
Conclusion
Thus, to conclude, organic chemistry is a vast field and vital to us human beings as the basis of organic chemistry and its applications deal with factors that directly and indirectly affect the growth of life. The basis of organic chemistry is organic compounds present in almost every single living thing on the earth, making the study of organic chemistry extensive. Functionally and structurally, these compounds can be divided in various manners, which needs to be studied in-depth to understand their properties are reactivity.
