Core Concepts in Organic Chemistry
1.Carbon’s Unique Bonding
Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds, leading to a wide variety of structures, from simple chains to complex rings and networks. This versatility underpins the diversity of organic compounds.
2.Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that have characteristic properties and reactivity. Examples include hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (>C=O), carboxyl (-COOH), and amino (-NH₂) groups. Understanding these groups is essential for predicting how organic molecules behave in chemical reactions.
3.Isomerism
Organic compounds can have the same molecular formula but different structures or spatial arrangements, known as isomers. There are two primary types of isomerism:
Structural Isomerism: Molecules with different connectivity of atoms.
Stereoisomerism: Molecules with the same connectivity but different spatial arrangements, including cis-trans and optical isomerism.
4.Types of Reactions
Organic reactions are classified into various types based on mechanisms:
Addition Reactions: Common in unsaturated compounds, where atoms are added to carbon-carbon double or triple bonds.
Substitution Reactions: Involve the replacement of one atom or group with another, common in saturated compounds.
Elimination Reactions: Atoms or groups are removed from a molecule, typically forming double or triple bonds.
Rearrangement Reactions: Structural reorganization within the same molecule, often leading to isomers.
4.Mechanisms and Reaction Pathways
Mechanisms explain the step-by-step process of how reactions occur, including bond-breaking and bond-forming stages. Common types include radical mechanisms, electrophilic and nucleophilic substitutions, and concerted reactions.