Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that specializes in the study of carbon compounds. For historical reasons, compounds containing carbon are said to be organic. Organic compounds range from simple molecules (ex. Methane – CH4), to more complex ones, such as proteins (thousands of atoms). The basis of organic chemistry is the unique chemical versatility of carbon.
How does the electron configuration of carbon determine its covalent compatibility with many different elements?
Carbon has 6 electrons. 4 of these are its valence electrons in the valence shell. Having 4 valence electrons in a shell that holds 8, carbon would have to donate or accept 4 electrons to complete its valence shell and become an ion.
Instead, a carbon atom usually completes its valence shell by sharing his 4 electrons with other atoms by covalent bonds. Bonds can be single or double.
What are isomers and how do we classify them?
Isomers are compounds that have the same numbers of atoms of the same element but different structures and hence different properties.
Three types of isomers are:
structural isomers
differ in the covalent partners (arrangements of their atoms)
geometric isomers
differ in their spatial arrangements (same covalent partnerships)
enantiomers
differ in spatial arrangement around an asymmetric carbon (“mirror” images of each other)
Facts
Living matter is made mostly of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, with some sulfur and phosphorus.
The foundation of organic chemistry is not some intangible life force, but the unique chemical versatility of the element carbon.
Carbon has 6 electrons, with 2 in the first shell and 4 in the valence shell (tetravalence)
Hydrocarbons (look in key terms) can undergo reactions that release a relatively large amount of energy.
Hydrocarbons consist only of carbon and hydrogen.
Key terms:
Organic Chemistry = branch of chemistry that specializes in the study of carbon compounds
Vitalism = the belief in a life force outside the jurisdiction of physical and chemical laws
Mechanism = the view that physical and chemical laws govern all natural phenomena, including the process of life
Hydrocarbons = Organic molecules made of only carbon and hydrogen
Isomers = Compounds with the same molecular formula but have different structures
Enantiomers = molecules that are mirror images of each other.
Functional groups = A group of atoms attached to a carbon skeleton
ATP = adenosine triphosphate, an important source of energy
ADP = adenosine diphosphate, product of losing one phosphate from ATP
Summary:
Of all chemical elements, carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form molecules that are large, complex and diverse, and this molecular diversity has made possible the diversity of organisms that have evolved on Earth. The study of carbon compounds is called organic chemistry (see more in next chapter). Carbon has 6 electrons and 4 of them are in the valence shell and it can easily accept or give 4 other electrons, making covalent bonds with other atoms. Some of the examples for the molecular diversity arising from carbon skeleton variations are isomers (take a look up on the page). Furthermore, functional groups, important chemical groups attach to carbon skeletons, making important biological molecules.
Extra:
Stanley Miller experiment (video)
