Organic chemistry is one of the subjects that tend to strike
terror into the hearts of students. But organics, or carbon
chemistry as it is more accurately known, can be pretty easily
learned. Defined as the chemistry of carbon compounds, organic
chemistry deals with the principles behind the formation of these
compounds.
Organic compounds have certain characteristics that are common
across the board. First of all, they are insoluble in water and
soluble in nonpolar solvents. They are generally non-electrolytes
and have relatively low melting points and are unstable under
high heat.
Other Characteristics
Bonding
Compounds are usually formed with covalent bonds, have four
valence electrons, and can form four covalent bonds with other
elements or with other carbon atoms. Bonding results in compounds
that are molecular in nature.
Structural formula
This is the formula showing the sharing of a pair of electrons as
a short line. For example, a single bond is pictured as C-C and a
double bond as C=C.
Isomers
Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula, but
different structural formula.
Saturated-unsaturated
compounds
When a single pair of electrons is shared, the bond is
saturated. When more than one pair of electrons are
shared, the bond is unsaturated.
Now you try it...
