The study of carbon-based compounds and their properties.

New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 3A 2

21.1 What is Organic Chemistry (SB p.2)

Organic Chemistry

• Chemistry of the compounds present in living organisms.

• They all contain carbon.• Organic Chemistry is the Chemistry of Carbon.

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Living things

Carbohydrates / Proteins / Fats / Vitamins / Antibiotics

21.1 What is Organic Chemistry (SB p.4)

Natural Sources of Organic Compounds

A variety of organic products

obtained from living things

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Crude oil or coal

Fractional distillation /

destructive distillation

Alkanes / Alkenes / Alkynes / Aromatic hydrocarbons

21.1 What is Organic Chemistry (SB p.4)

Natural Sources of Organic Compounds

A variety of useful products

derived from crude oil and

coal

Check Point 21-1

New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 3A 5

In the past …,

ChemistryChemistry

Organic compoundsOrganic

compounds

obtained from living

organisms

Inorganic compoundsInorganic

compounds

obtained from non-living sources

21.1 What is Organic Chemistry (SB p.3)

Development of Organic Chemistry as a Science

New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 3A 6

Redefining … ...Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds (except CO, CO2, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, carbides and cyanides) obtained from natural sources or synthesized in the laboratories.

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds (except CO, CO2, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, carbides and cyanides) obtained from natural sources or synthesized in the laboratories.

Development of Organic Chemistry as a Science

21.1 What is Organic Chemistry (SB p.3)

New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 3A 7

The Unique Nature of Carbon

• How many electrons does C want?

– Meaning… how many bonds is C able to make

New Way Chemistry for Hong Kong A-Level 3A 9

21.2 The Unique Nature of Carbon (SB p.5)

• Carbon atoms link together to form chains of varying length, branched chains and rings of different sizes

• Catenation: Ability of atoms in forming stable bonds with itself, hence joining up into chains or rings

Ability to Catenate

Hydrocarbons: contain only hydrogen and carbon

Hydrocarbons

Aliphatic Aromatic

Alkanes Alkenes Alkynes Cyclic

Hydrocarbons can be divided into different types, depending on their bonding.

Alkanes

• Alkanes - - Carbon chain, no double or triple bonds. All single bonds (saturated)

Naming Organic Molecules

There are two parts to the main name of each molecule…

prefix: tells the # of carbons in main chain or ring

suffix: tells the type of bonding in the chain or ring

Prefix: indicates number of carbon atoms in the main chain or ring

1 meth-

2 eth-

3 prop-

4 but-

5 pent-

6 hex-

7 hept-

8 oct-

9 non-

10dec-

ALKANES

ALKANES

propane, C3H8

ALKANES

octane, C8H18