Organic Chemistry

  • Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline of chemistry that deals with compounds containing carbon atoms; these include hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

  • The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons, which are molecules made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

  • Hydrocarbons can be classified as alkanes, alkenes and alkynes, based on the type of bonding between the carbon atoms.

  • Alkanes have only single bonds between carbon atoms, alkenes have at least one double bond, and alkynes have at least one triple bond.

  • Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that have a predictable chemical behaviour. They determine the properties and reactivity of organic compounds.

  • Examples of functional groups include: hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (>C=O), carboxyl (-COOH), amino (-NH2), alkene (-C=C-), and halide (-X).

  • Isomerism in organic chemistry refers to the phenomenon wherein compounds with the same molecular formula have different structural arrangements. This can result in different physical and chemical properties.

  • Types of isomerism include chain isomerism, functional group isomerism, position isomerism, tautomeric isomerism, and stereoisomerism.

  • Organic reactions can be categorised into several basic types: addition, elimination, substitution, and rearrangement reactions. Each involves a different mechanism and has different reaction rates and products.

  • A compound’s reactivity can be affected by different factors, such as the presence of a catalyst, temperature, concentration of reactants, pressure, and surface area.

  • Spectroscopy techniques, especially infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, are crucial tools in identifying the structure of organic compounds.

  • Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating units, or monomers. There are various ways to classify polymers, such as by their source, structure, mode of polymerisation, etc.

  • Organic synthesis is the study of how to construct complex organic compounds from simpler ones. It involves the design and execution of chemical reactions.

  • Understanding the reactivity and properties of organic compounds, as well as mastering the concepts and skills of organic synthesis, is essential for success in Organic Chemistry I.

  • Regular practise, application of knowledge in different contexts, and understanding the structure-property relationship of organic compounds are strategies for effective learning in this subdiscipline.