Meaning of Organic Chemistry
The word organic means pertaining to life.
Substances that could be obtained only from living sources like plants and animals are called organic
compounds and the chemistry dealing with them was named organic chemistry,
Substances which could be produced from minerals and non- living sources, were called inorganic
compounds and the chemistry dealing with them was called inorganic chemistry.
Earlier it was believed that they were the products of some "vital force" of nature. This theory was
soon discarded when a German chemist named Friedrich Wöhler showed that it was possible to obtain
an organic compound urea, from the laboratory process.
NH4CNO CO(NH2)2 heat
Organic Compounds:
Organic compounds are the compounds of carbon and organic chemistry is the study of carbon
compounds, excluding oxides of carbon, metallic carbonates and related compounds like metal
cyanides, metal carbides.
Sources of Organic Compounds:
1. Plants sugar, starch
2. Animals - urea, protein
3. Coal - dyes, drugs
4. Petroleum - petrol, gasoline, fuel gases
5. Fermentation - ethyl alcohol, acetic acid
6. Wood - methyl alcohol, acetone
Application of organic chemistry:
Organic compounds are extremely useful to us in our daily
life. The soaps and shampoos we use while taking bath, the
powders, perfumes, we apply on the body, the clothes we
wear, food we eat, fuels we use, medicines, explosives, dyes,
insecticides, are all organic compounds. There is hardly any
walk of life where we do not need organic compounds.
Unique nature of carbon atoms:
Carbon shows unique properties of tetravalency, catenation and Isomerism:
(i) Tetravalency of the carbon atom: Carbon has four valence electrons (At. no. of C = 6; Elec. Config. = 2,
4). Since it can neither lose nor gain electrons to attain octet, it forms covalent bonds by sharing its four
electrons with other atoms. It forms four covalent bonds, is called the tetravalency of carbon.
(ii) Catenation: Carbon atoms possess a unique property to link together (self-linking) to form very long
chains. This property is referred to as catenation.
The property of self-linking of atoms of an element through covalent bonds in order to form straight
chains, branched chains and cyclic chains of different sizes is known as catenation.
(iii) Isomerism: It show property of isomerism which means phenomenon having same molecular formula
but different structural formula. Isomers differ in Physical / Chemical properties.
Types of organic compounds:
1. Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons are compounds that are made up only of carbon and hydrogen
atoms.
Classification of hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons are sub-divided into two main groups, the aliphatic
(open) and cyclic (closed) chain compounds.
Aliphatic (open) Compounds
Saturated Compounds: The simplest open chain hydrocarbon is alkane. It is represented by the
formula CnH2n+2, where n represents a natural number. It is a saturated hydrocarbon, as all four
valencies of carbon are satisfied by a single covalent bond.
Unsaturated Compounds: The hydrocarbons that have double or triple covalent bonds between two
adjacent carbon atoms are called unsaturated hydrocarbons.
These unsaturated compounds are further classified as Alkenes which are, the hydrocarbons
with double bond and Alkynes which are the hydrocarbons with triple bond between two
carbon atoms.
Cyclic or closed chain or ring chain compounds:
These compounds contain three or more carbon atoms in their molecules. These have
properties similar to open chain hydrocarbons. They are also called carbocyclic compounds.
The cyclic compounds are of two types:
(i) Alicyclic compounds: These are ringed carbon compounds containing three or more atoms of
carbon arranged in a closed structure.
(ii) Aromatic compounds: Some hydro carbons contain at least one
benzene ring in their molecules. The benzene ring is a specific type of ring
structure of six carbon atoms having carbon single and carbon- carbon
double bonds in alternate positions.
Homologous Series: A homologous series is a group of organic compounds
having a similar structure and similar chemical properties in which the
successive compounds differ by a CH2 group.
E.g. Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes.
Characteristics of a homologous series:
1. All members of a homologous series share the general formula.
2. Each member of the series differs from their preceding one by the addition of CH2 group and
by molecular mass of 14 a.m.u.
3. The physical properties of the members change gradually.
4. Members of a homologous series have similar chemical properties.
5. All the members of a homologous series can be prepared by using the same general method of
preparation.
Significance of the homologous series:
(i) The nature of any member of that family of compounds can be found.
(ii) It helps to predict the properties of even those members of the series that are yet to be prepared.
(iii) It saves learning time.
Nomenclature:
Nomenclature is the system of assignment of names to organic compounds.
System of nomenclature are Trivial system and IUPAC, (International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry) system.
According to the rules of this system, the name of an organic compound consists of three parts:
(i) Root Word: It depends upon the number of carbon atoms present in the longest carbon
chain selected.
(ii) Suffix: The root word is followed by an appropriate suffix, which represents the nature of the
bond in a carbon - carbon atom.
(iii) Prefix: It denotes the substituent, alkyl or functional group and its position in the carbon
chain.
ALKYL GROUP:
An alkyl group is obtained by removing one atom of hydrogen from an alkane molecule.
FUNCTIONAL GROUP:
The functional group is defined as an atom or group of atoms joined in a specific manner
which is responsible for the characteristic chemical properties of the organic compounds.
For example: hydroxyl group (-OH), aldehyde group carboxylic acid group (-COOH). (-CHO)
Characteristics of functional groups:
(i) The chemical properties of the compounds containing the same functional group are
similar.
(ii) The physical and chemical properties of the compounds of different functional groups
are different.
(iii) There exists a homologous series of compounds containing a particular type of
STRUCTURE
The formula that shows how atoms of different elements are linked together
in a molecule is known as structural formula. Eg: Butane
A molecule having the bigger structural formula is often cumbersome. We
represent it by abbreviated formula.
Abbreviated or Condensed formula of butane
CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3
A structure that shows only the linking of carbon atoms in a molecule is
called the carbon skeleton.
Carbon skeleton of butane
C-C-C-C
Rules of Nomenclature of Organic Compounds:
Rule1. Selection of carbon chains: Select Longest carbon Chain as word
root.
Rule 2 The branch chains are considered to be substituents, and their
positions are indicated by the number of carbon atoms to which they are
attached.
Rule 3 The carbon atoms of the longest chain are numbered in such
a way that the alkyl groups (substituents) get the smallest possible
number.
Rule 4 The position(s) of alkyl group(s) are indicated
by writing the position and name of the alkyl group
Rule 5 Multiple alkyl groups are labelled with the Greek
numerical prefixes.
Rule 6 Any functional group is also present in the chain, then the
carbon atoms are numbered in such a way that the functional
group gets the smallest possible
Rule 7 In case, different types of substituents are attached to the
chain, they are arranged and named alphabetically.
ISOMERS
Compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural formula are known as
ISOMERS and the phenomenon is known as ISOMERISM (iso = same, meros = parts). Isomers
differ in physical properties or chemical properties or both.
Main causes of isomerism:
1. Difference in the mode of linking of atoms.
For example: Pentane C5H12
(i) Chain Isomerism: When two or more compounds have a similar molecular formula but are
different in the arrangement of carbon atoms in straight or branched chains the compounds are
referred to as chain isomers and the phenomenon is termed as chain isomerism.
For example: Pentane C5H12
ii) Position isomerism: When two or more compounds with the same
molecular formula differ in the position of substituent atom or
functional group on the carbon atom, they are called position isomers
and this phenomenon is termed position isomerism.
For example: C4H8
HYDRCARBONS: ALKANES
Alkanes
Alkanes are Aliphatic / open chain hydrocarbons in linkages
between the carbon atoms are single covalent bonds. These
compounds are known as saturated hydrocarbons since all the
four valencies of carbon are fully satisfied in the formula
CnH2n+2 by a single bond.
These hydrocarbons are relatively unreactive under ordinary
conditions and so, they are also known as paraffins (parum-little,
affinis -affinity).
Sources of Alkanes:
The principal sources of alkanes are natural gas and petroleum.
Isomerism in alkanes, i.e., single bond hydrocarbons
Alkanes with more than three carbon atoms form isomers. They
show chain isomerism. Examples:
Isomers of butane (C4H10):
Butane has four carbon atoms
. There are two isomers of butane.
Isomers of pentane (C5H12)
Pentane has five carbon atoms.
They can form three isomers.
Methane and Ethane:
Occurence of Methane and Ethane:
Methane (Marsh Gas):
(i) Marsh gas is formed at the bottom of marshes due to the fermentation of cellulose by a special type of bacteria.
(ii) It is present in the air exhaled by animals whose food contains cellulose.
(iii) It is contained in intestinal gases and in the blood of animals and human beings.
(iv) Cavities in coal contain 90% methane. It is called 'fire-damp'.
(v) Methane is produced of wood, peat also by dry distillation (coal).
Ethane:
It occurs to the extent of 10-20 percent along with methane.
Structure of Methane: The shape is tetrahedron.
Laboratory preparation of Methane
Reactants:
Sodium ethanoate (sodium acetate) and soda lime.
Procedure:
A mixture of sodium ethanoate (sodium acetate) and soda lime is
taken in a and heated over a bunsen burner. hard glass test tube
Reaction:
CH3COONa + NaOH ------------- > Na2CO3 + CH4
Collection: The gas evolved is collected by downward displacement of
water since it is slightly soluble in water and is lighter than air.
Laboratory preparation of ethane
Reactants: Sodium propanoate (sodium propionate) and soda lime.
Procedure: A mixture of sodium propionate and soda lime is taken in a boiling tube and heated over a bunsen burner
METHODS OF PREPARATION OF METHANE AND ETHANE
1. lodomethane (methyl iodide) and bromoethane (ethyl bromide) are reduced by nascent hydrogen at ordinary room
temperature.
CH3I + 2[H] → CH4 + HI
C2H5Br + 2[H] → C2H6 + HBr
Nascent hydrogen is produced by the action of Zn powder and dil. HCI.
II. When water is added at room temperature to aluminium carbide, methane
is prepared.
Al4C3 + 12H2O→ 3CH4 + 4AI(OH)3
III. Ethane from alkyl halides:
When methyl iodide or methyl bromide is warmed with sodium metal in the presence of
dry ether, ethane is produced.
2CH3 + 2NaH3C-CH3 + 2Nal
This reaction is referred to as Wurtz reaction.
Physical Properties:
Methane:
(i) It is a colourless and an odourless gas.
(ii) Its ( melting point is-183 °C and its boiling point is -162 °C.
iii) It is negligibly soluble in water and soluble in organic solvents.
Ethane:
(i) It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-poisonous gas.
(ii) Its m.p. is -172 °C and its b.p. is -89 °C.
(iii) It is sparingly soluble in water but wholly soluble in organic solvents
like alcohols, acetone and ether.
Chemical Properties:
1. Combustion:
(i) Complete Combustion:
Methane and ethane burn in air with a bluish non sooty
flame to form carbon dioxide and water vapour.
Methane:
← CH4 + 202-----> CO2 + 2H2O
Ethane:
2C2H6 +702 → 4CO2 + 6H₂O
