Simple Explanation of Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry is the study of the chemical compounds that contain carbon. There are millions of different organic compounds, almost all of them contain hydrogen. Atoms such as oxygen, nitrogen or chlorine are also common in organic compounds.
Topics covered on this page (Organic Chemistry):
Homologous Series
General Formula
Hydrocarbons
Saturated
Unsaturated
Isomerism
Homologous Series
General Formula
Hydrocarbons
Saturated
Unsaturated
Isomerism
Homologous series
The homologous series is a series of organic compounds that have the same general formula, e.g. Alkanes, Alkanes and Alkenes are both in the homologous series. The homologous series are members of the same series or family with similar chemical properties and similar chemical reactions. Each member differs from the next by a -CH₂- group.
General Formula
General formula is a mathematical formula that states the ratio of atoms of each element in the formula of every compound in a particular homologous series. (E.g. CnH2n+2 - The formula for Alkanes or CnH2n - formula for Alkenes). For the homologous series, is represents the relationship between the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon is a compound containing only the elements hydrogen and carbon. (Such as any of those that are the main components of petroleum and natural gas e.g. Methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane)
Saturated
Saturated means something has bonded as many time as possible. No more bonds can be made (all C-C Bonds). Saturated carbons are organic compounds in which all the bonds are single bonds throughout the whole structure.
Unsaturated
Unsaturated means something has not been bonded to the maximum amount of bonds possible, more bonds can be made. Unsaturated carbons are organic compounds that contain a carbon-carbon double bond.
Isomerism
Compounds that exhibit isomerism have the same molecular formula but different displayed formulae. Different compounds are called isomers. Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but they differ in physical or chemical properties or both.e.g. Dimethylpropane.