6: The Wonderful World of Carbon - Organic Chemistry and Biochemicals
- Page ID
- 285306
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)“The first few of what are now known to be organic chemicals to be discovered were produced by living organisms and were therefore called ‘organic.’ One such compound is urea, which occurs in urine. In 1828 Friedrich Wöhler disproved the idea that all organic compounds must come from living organisms when he accidentally discovered that urea could be made by the reaction of cyanic acid (HOCN) and ammonia, both simple organic compounds. This discovery established the science of organic chemistry based upon the unique bonding capabilities of the carbon atom leading to the synthesis and discovery of tens of millions of unique organic compounds. In 2009 the American Chemical Society Chemical Abstract Service registered the 60 millionth compound(most of which are organic compounds) only 9 months after the registration of the 40 millionth, apace of discovery of more than one new compound per minute.”
- 6.1: Rings and Chains of Carbon Atoms
- This page illustrates the significance of organic chemistry, emphasizing carbon's bonding capabilities that lead to diverse compounds, including hydrocarbons. It highlights the role of organic chemicals in industries like pharmaceuticals and agriculture, along with their environmental effects. Green chemistry is discussed for promoting safer practices.
- 6.2: Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen - Hydrocarbons
- This page covers hydrocarbons, essential organic chemistry compounds made of hydrogen and carbon, found in petroleum. It discusses types like alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic compounds, which have unique properties and structures, including isomerism. The text highlights the reactivity of alkenes and details polymers, focusing on polyethylene formation from ethylene.
- 6.3: Using Lines To Show Organic Structural Formulas
- This page explains aromatic structures and organic chemical formulas, using hexagons with circles to denote benzene rings and lines for structural formulas. It details how to interpret these line formulas, assign hydrogen atoms based on carbon positioning and bonding, and represent subgroups and multiple bonds.
- 6.4: Functional Groups
- This page discusses the significance of functional groups in organic compounds, focusing on classes like organooxygen, organonitrogen, and organohalides, along with their properties and safety concerns. Key compounds such as ethanol and formaldehyde are highlighted for their functions and risks, particularly environmental issues caused by organohalides. Efforts in green chemistry are noted, alongside a UN treaty identifying hazardous organohalides.
- 6.5: Giant Molecules from Small Organic Molecules
- This page covers polymerization, explaining how unsaturated molecules like ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene create synthetic polymers used in products. It differentiates between addition polymers, such as polyethylene, formed by chemical addition, and condensation polymers, like nylon, made via water elimination.
- Questions and Problems
- This page encourages users to investigate organic chemistry concepts, such as alkanes and alkenes, through critical thinking and research. It poses questions about alkane reactions, differences between compound types, structural formulas, health issues related to compounds, organonitrogen groups, and the importance of polymers. The focus is on understanding rather than memorization, allowing for diverse valid responses based on research and intellectual engagement.
- Supplementary References
- This page lists a range of textbooks on general, organic, and biochemistry, noting authors, editions, publishers, and publication years. Key titles include works by Armstrong, Bettelheim, and Solomons, with contributions from McMurry, Seager, and Smith. These texts were primarily published between 2005 and 2011 by major publishers such as Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, McGraw-Hill, and Wiley.


