Carbon
Carbon Chemistry = Molecules that contain carbon = organic
molecules
C
Why carbon?
C
C
C
C
C
C
- Forms stable covalent bonds
The tetravalence of C is one property of carbon that makes it
versatile in forming many different complex molecules.
C
- carbon shares four e- pairs:
- single bonds:
C
C
double bonds:
C
triple bonds:
C
 Hydrocarbons
- Consist only of C and H; bonds are covalent and non-polar
- Release lots of E when bonds are broken
- Not prevalent (independently) in living organisms, but cell’s
organic molecules contain regions of H-C.
o Ex. Fats have H-C tails
o Petroleum (Fossil fuels = partially decomposed
remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago)
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Functional Groups / Characteristics
 Organic molecules have different properties as a result of
their structures which is dependent on their functional
groups.
 If the functional group is the variable portion of the
molecule = R Group
Hydroxyl group – attract water, helping
to dissolve organic compounds
Carboxyl group – form acids
(has own source of H+)
hydrophilic &
polar (due to
electronegative
O atom)
Amino group – form bases
(can pick up H+ from solution)
Phosphate group – can transfer
‘E’ between organic molecules
ester
Carbonyl group – characterizes sugars
Aldehydes
Keytones
ether
Sulfhydryl group – helps stabilize protein structure - hydrophobic
and non-polar
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 Carbon atoms are named for # of C atoms ~ 1st part of
name:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
1 = meth2 = eth3 = prop4 = but(“e”)5 = pent-
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
6 = hex7 = hept8 = oct9 = non10 = dec
 ….and # of bonds ~ 2nd part of name
a.
b.
c.
Single bond = alkANE
Double bond = alkENE
Triple bond = alkyne
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Numbering Carbons in ring form:
 Start at the right of oxygen in the ring and move your
way around.
This will be helpful when understanding the structure of
DNA!
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