Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, and reactions of carbon-based compounds. This includes not only compounds containing carbon-hydrogen bonds, but also other compounds like alcohols, acids, amines, and more. A key concept in organic chemistry is the tetrahedral structure of carbon. Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds, arranging themselves in a tetrahedral geometry. This allows for the formation of a wide variety of complex molecules.
Another important concept is functional groups. Functional groups are specific arrangements of atoms within an organic molecule that give the molecule certain chemical properties. Common functional groups include alcohols (-OH), carboxylic acids (-COOH), aldehydes (-CHO), ketones (C=O), and many others. The identity and arrangement of functional groups in a molecule largely determines its chemical reactivity and behavior.
Isomerism is a concept that describes how molecules can have the same chemical formula but different 3D structures, and thus different properties. Structural isomers have the atoms bonded in different arrangements, while stereoisomers have the same connectivity but different spatial orientations. Understanding isomers is crucial for predicting the properties and reactions of organic compounds.
Organic reactions can generally be classified into a few main types, including substitution, elimination, addition, and rearrangement reactions. Each type involves the breaking and formation of specific bonds and the movement of electrons. Mastering these reaction types allows organic chemists to predict the products of chemical transformations and design new synthetic pathways.
Finally, many organic compounds exhibit resonance, where the electron density is delocalized across multiple atoms. This allows for the stabilization of certain structures and intermediates, and is an important consideration in understanding the stability and reactivity of organic molecules. Overall, these core concepts provide the foundation for the vast and diverse field of organic chemistry.