Organic ChemistryIntroduction

Definition

Organic Chemistry is the chemistry of the compounds of carbon

Organic CompoundsFood, flavors,

fragrances

Organic CompoundsMedicine, toiletries and

cosmetics

Organic CompoundsPlastics, films, fibers and

resins

Organic CompoundsPaints, varnishes,

glue

Organic CompoundsOur body and bodies of all other

living organisms

Abundance of Elements

Why study carbon?1. Historical

Organic compounds were produced by living organisms; inorganic compounds are found in non-living matter

Organic compounds cannot be synthesized from inorganic compounds

Synthesis of UreaFriedrich Wohler

(1800-1882)

New Definition of Organic Compounds August Kekule

Organic Compounds are compounds that contain carbon

Why Study Organic Chemistry?2. Chemists have discovered/made more than

10 million organic compounds and an estimated 10,000 new ones are discovered or prepared in the laboratory each year

Comparison of Organic and Inorganic CompoundsOrganic Inorganic

Bonding is almost entirely covalent

Most have ionic bonds

May be gases, liquids or solids with low melting points (less than 360 C)

Most are solids with high melting points

Most are insoluble in water

Many are soluble in water

Most are soluble in organic solvents

Almost all are insoluble in organic solvents

Aqueous solutions do not conduct electricity

Aqueous solutions conduct electricity

Almost all burn Very few burn

Reactions are usually slow

Reactions are often very fast

Why study organic chemistry?3. Biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins,

lipids, nucleic acids, enzymes, hormones, vitamins) and all other important chemicals in living systems are organic compounds

Sources of Organic Compounds1. Isolation from nature – extraction from

biological sources (biosynthesis)2. Synthesis in the laboratory

End of Chapter 1