Organic Chemistry

What is organic chemistry?

Organic Chemistry is a branch of Chemistry which deals with structural and functional properties of
carbon compounds. Organic compounds mean carbon compounds!
Why do we learn this?
Since carbon forms a large number of compounds, it encompasses every sphere of life. For instance,
you carry a polythene bag to the market which is made up of carbon compounds. The cooking gas
and the petroleum are also carbon compounds. All the nuclei acids and proteins are also made up of
carbon compounds. Even the artificial sugar called Saccharin, is also a carbon compound. The
medicines such as Aspirin, Paracetamol, etc. and disinfectants such as dettol and phenol too are
carbon compounds. So see we are all surrounded by carbon compounds. Therefore it is very
important to study these compounds so that we can derive maximum benefit from them.
Introduction
Since C is tetravalent, so it can form four bonds. Therefore, covalency of carbon atom, that is, the
maximum number of bonds which a carbon atom can form with other atoms is four.
All carbon compounds exhibit covalent bonding, that is, a bond is formed between two atoms by
sharing of electrons. For example, methane is a simplest hydrocarbon with formula CH4.Its Lewis
dot structure is ->

Carbon shares its four valence electrons each with hydrogen atom to form a covalent bond.
Carbon forms bonds with many elements but to start with, we'll study the compounds formed by
carbon with hydrogen only. The organic compounds which contain only carbon and hydrogen are
called hydrocarbons.
All hydrocarbons have a well defined three dimensional structure, but you needn't worry as all of
them are best studied in one dimension only. The different ways of representing hydrocarbons are:(a)Ball and stick structure

(b)Dot line structure

(c)Structural fromula

(a)Ball and stick model: In this model, all the atoms of a hydrocarbon are represented by spheres
or balls and the bonds between them are represented by sticks.
(b)Dot line model: Entire molecule is represented by a straight line which bends at C atoms. Here
no H atoms are explicitly represented.
(c)Structural formula: Each atom is represented by its standard symbol and bond between them is
shown by a line.
Remember, it is very important to clearly understand the dot stick model as it will really help you to
understand the compound quickly and effectively!
Why carbon forms a large number of compounds?
It is due to following two unique properties of carbon:1.Tetravalency: Carbon has four valence electrons. So either it can lose all of them or gain four
more electrons to form an electrovalent bond. But C atom acts smartly. It neither loses nor gains any
electrons but forms covalent bonds by sharing its valence electrons with other atoms. This allows it
to bond to four atoms at a time, both homoatoms and heteroatoms, which is one of the major
reasons for large number of C compounds.
2.Catenation: It is a property of an atom to form links with other same atoms.
For example, C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C represents catenation. C-C-H-S is not
catenation.
This property is found only in carbon and sulphur but in sulphur its quite limited. C can from links
upto hundreds of atoms in one single line!
Catenation of sulpur is limited to maximum of 8 atoms in a ring.

Classification of organic compounds

Since organic compounds are so large in number, in order to make their study easier they are
classified into the following categories.

Acyclic compounds can be either linear or branched.

Linear chain (no
branching)

Branched chain

Cyclic (ring)

How to name organic compounds?

After looking at various ways of representing the structures of organic compounds, a natural
question arises how to name them?
There are two ways of naming of them Trivial nomenclature and IUPAC Nomenclature
(a)Trivial Nomenclature: It is region dependent where a compound is named in the regional
language by the people. It is not widely used as it differs from place to place. But a few of them still
survive to be in use because of their popularity.
For example, CH3OH is called wood spirit, CH3COOH is called acetic acid.
There are a lot more of them but at this stage it is not revelent to worry about them.
(b)IUPAC Nomenclature: This is a standardised nomenclature followed all over the world.
IUPAC stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. It has laid a simple set
of guidelines for naming the organic compounds. Just remember the logical sequence of naming.
The IUPAC name of an organic compound consists of three basic parts : Prefix, Root Word and
Suffix.
We shall learn now about the root word!
Root word stands for the fundamental name of the carbon chain. The following table shows the
name corresponding to the number of carbon atoms in the main chain. Main chain refers to the
carbon chain containing maximum number of carbon atoms.
Number of C atoms

Root word

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Meth
Eth
Prop
But
Pent
Hex
Hept

8
9
10

Oct
Non
Dec

Note: There is a confusion regarding 7 as 'hept' or 'sept'. In inorganic, when we name the elements
after atomic number 108, there we use 'sept', but in organic, we use 'hept' only.
Suffix stands for the functional groups.
Prefix stands for cyclo, spiro and least preferred functional groups.
These will become clear when we look at a few standard examples.
What are functional groups?
A functional group is an atom or a group of atoms which dictates all the properties of an organic
compound and is usually the main site for chemical reactions.
For example, -Cl is a functional group belonging to -X (halogens) group. It dictates all properties of
its compound and participates in the reactions primarily.
Alkanes, alkenes and alkynes are types of hydrocarbons which are different functional groups.
Alkanes have single C-C bonds, alkenes have one double bond between two adjacent carbon atoms
and alkynes have one triple bond between two adjacent carbon atoms.
General formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, for alkenes is CnH2n, for alkynes is CnH2n-2.

Alkane

Alkene

Alkyne

The functional groups with their IUPAC names are:-

Priority of Functional Groups:

1. Sulphonic acid
2. Carboxlyic acid
3. Acid anhydrides
4. Esters
5. Acyl halides
6. Amides
7. Nitrile
8. Aldehyde
9. Ketone
10. Alcohol
11. Thiol
12. Ether
13. Amine
14. Sulphide
15. Alkenes
16. Alkynes
17. Halogens
18. Alkanes
Important:- In many books, Sulphonic acid is given second preference and carboxylic acid is given
first preference while naming a compound in which both of these groups are persent. But actually
ALL INORGANIC ACIDS ARE MUCH MORE ACIDIC THAN ORGANIC ACIDS. So, for
entrance exams follow the order given above. For boards, kindly follow what is followed in your
prescribed in your textbooks.
Glimpses of further study in Organic Chemistry
1. IUPAC Nomenclature in its full glory
2. Reaction Intermediates:- They are the compounds which are formed during the course of reaction
when reactant undergoes transforamtion to products.
Some of them are:

Benzyne

Carbene

Carbanion

Carbocation

3. Benzene forms a major part of all commercially used oragnic chemicals.

Organic compounds are also used for inorganic tests. Eg:- Phenolphthalein is used as a
neutralisation indicator.

They are also used in dyes.

Tips:1. Organic chemistry is easy if one understands the concepts well.

2. It is a challenging area which offers the same thrill as one gets while solving a mathematics
or physics problem.
3. It covers 33% of total chemistry.
4. It is the most widely applicable part of science without which nothing works.
5. It has a wide scope for research and development.