Chapter 9: Organic Chemistry
Introduction:
In the early 1800’s there was a concept known as vitalism which basically is a belief that all living
things possessed a vital force that distinguished them from the non-living.
The term organic initially referred to things derived from living things. With the enhancement of
genetically modified items, it now refers to things derived from unaltered living things. Later in
history, it was also believed that inorganic substances were derived from organic substances and
that the reverse situation could not happen.
In 1828, chemists led the way for evolutionary change of this belief by actually creating organic
substances from the inorganic. Can you guess what substances this was? Urea
The general chemical structure of organic compound is that they contain carbon(C)
and hydrogen (H) bonds. Their shape depends on the bond lengths and the bond angles between
atoms. Bond length typically decreases as your number of bonds increases.
Thus far we’ve focused on three major areas of chemistry
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Analytical chemistry – this is where we studied the composition of matter as our primary
focus. Analytical refers to the examination of the different parts.
Physical chemistry – we examined the laws and theories that describe the behavior of
matter.
Inorganic chemistry – the chemistry of substances not produced by living things.
In this chapter we will analyze organic chemistry. You will also get a glimpse of biochemistry
Chapter Pre-assessment Quiz
Note: Since we were asked to read Chapter 9 over the weekend for homework. I’m quite sure each
of you did this as requested. I know this quiz will be easy for you that did you reading. I look
forward to seeing each of you getting A’s. Good Luck Mr. Hendon.
1.
Name one thing that is discussed in this chapter? Must be specific and you may not say
chemistry or reactions. ANSWERS MAY VARY.
2.
Name the three forms of carbon that the textbook mentioned? Answers will be
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3.
Name an example of two substances that the textbook called fossil fuels. Answers will be:
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4.
Coal, Natural Gas, Petroleum
What chemical formula that is used to identify bases can also let us know that a
compound is an alcohol?
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5.
Diamond, Graphite, Fullerenes
-OH
What is the difference between the original definition of the term organic and the modern
day use of the word?
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Organic originally referred to substances produced as derivatives of living things.
Due to the increased use of genetic modification, Modern day it refers to those
substances produced as derivatives of naturally, unaltered things.
Objective #1: What is the chemical structure of an organic compound.
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Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen, often combined with a few other
elements such as oxygen and nitrogen.
Most of the bonds in organic compounds are C – C bonds or C –H bonds
Carbon is so unique to this situation because it is capable of forming a numerous
combination of bonds. Example, a single Carbon atom can for m four single
bonds with other elements, two double bonds, or a triple and a single bond
complement.
Objective #2: Understand the structure of the different forms of carbon and their properties.
Diamond
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a very hard substance often used as a coating for drilling materials
it is an example of a network solid meaning it forms a network of covalent bonds with
carbon atoms connecting to one another. See Fig 2A
Graphite
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extremely soft and slippery substances
often used as a lubricant for machines parts. See Fig 2B
Graphite exists as layers. Strong bonds hold the carbon atoms within the layers
together whereas the bonds between the carbon connecting each layer is held
together by weak bonds. Because of these weak bonds you are able to break the
bonds between layers. This is observed each time you use your eraser to remove
pencil marks.
Fullerenes
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Named after a famous architect who designed buildings using geometrical shapes,
Buckminster Fuller
This form of carbon is generally found in soot.
Large hollow spheres or cages of Carbon. See Fig 2c
The model in the figures holds 60 carbon atoms together.
Slightly resembles a soccer ball because of the linkage pattern.
The C60 carbon is known as a Buckminster fullerene.
Objective #3: Understand the difference between a saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon
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Note: A hydrocarbon is an organic compound that contains only the elements and
carbon and hydrogen.
A saturated hydrocarbon is a type of hydrocarbon at which ALL of the bonds within
the structure are single bonds. Example: CH4 (Methane)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon is one that contains one or more double or triple bonds.
o Types of unsaturated hydrocarbons
1. alkenes- hydrocarbons that have one or more carbon-carbon double
bonds. This is often produced as an enzyme that helps control the rate at
which fruits ripen. When it comes to nomenclature, they pick up the
ending –ene instead of –ic or –ide which we are accustomed to.
2. alkynes – the most reactive hydrocarbons. They can be either straight or
branched.
3. aromatic carbons- hydrocarbons that contain similar ring structures as
benzene. They typically have strong aromas or odors. First by Friedrich
Kekule. In chemistry class, you may hear your teacher ask you to draw a
Kekule Strucutre and they are referring to those with rings.
o Types of saturated hydrocarbons
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Straight chains – all the carbons are arranged in a straight line see p264.
The number of carbons determines which state of matter the
hydrocarbon would have at room temperature.
Branched chains – the carbons have elements connected to different
carbons forming branching networks outside of the straight line.
Note: an isomer is simply a term used to describe a compound with the
same chemical structure but different structural formulas.
Rings – the carbon atoms bind together to form circular rings. Most of
these carbons typically contain 5 or 6 rings.
Objective #4: What are fossil fuels and give examples of them?
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Fossil fuels are a mixture of hydrocarbons that form from the dead remains of plants
and animals
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Examples:
o Coal- most hydrocarbons in coal are aromatic hydrocarbons. They also have
a high ratio of carbon to hydrogen. Because of this burning coal produces
more soot then burning other fossil fuels
o Natural Gas- formed from the remains of marine animals. Most often used to
generate electricity. Mainly composed of methane.
o Petroleum – also formed from the remains of marine animals. . Most popular
type is crude oil. Composed of a complex liquid mixture of hydrocarbons,
mainly long-branched alkanes and alkenes.
Objective #5: What is meant by fractional distillation?
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It is the separation of the compounds based on their boiling points.
Objective #6: Understand combustion and incomplete combustion and their effects on the earth.
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We learned two chapters ago that combustion refers to burning. Oxygen is required
for a combustion reaction to take place.
The general products of the combustion of fossil fuels are CO 2 + H2O
Because carbon dioxide is a product, it is often criticized as a cause of Global
Warming.
During incomplete combustion the product is carbon monoxide. This is why homes
using natural gas are often recommended to have carbon monoxide detectors.
The burning of fossil fuels can cause the acidity in rain to increase. The burning of fossil
fuels can also contribute to the formation of acid rain. Acid rain has been known to
damage historical structures as in Figure 9.
Objective #7: Understand what is meant by a substituted hydrocarbon and functional groups.
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A substituted hydrocarbon is simply a compound where carbon atoms have been
replaced by an atom or group of atoms.
The substituted atom or group of atoms is called a functional group because it determines
the properties of the compound.
Note: Organic compounds containing carbon and a halogen are known as halocarbons
Types of substituted hydrocarbonso Alcohols –
1. The functional group in an alcohol is –OH
2. when a halocarbon reacts with a bases the products are an alcohol and
a salt.
3. Ex: CH3Cl + NaOH  CH3OH + NaCl
4. their names end in –ol example methanol which is an alcohol used in the
fuel for some motorcycles.
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Organic acids & bases- the functional group in organic acids is a carboxyl group,
COOH p273. Names end in –oic. Tend to have sharp tastes and strong odors. An
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example of an organic acid is often observed in ants that create formic acid. If
they were to spray formic acid on your skin it would typically burn. The ant’s acids
are so strong that often times, birds will sit on an ants nest so that the ants can
spray their acids on them because the acids acts as a natural pesticide against
mites.
An example of an organic base would be those who contain an amino group as
a functional group. This compound hydrocarbon is known as an amine. These if
often observed when you smell rotten fish. Amines typically have sour smells.
esters – these generally account for the flavors of many foods and the pleasant
odor of many flowers.
They form when organic acids react with alcohol. See p 274 for an example. The
best observation of a product of an ester is when you place your nose near a rose
to smell its beautiful fragrance.
Objective #7: What is a polymer?
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A large molecule that forms when many smaller units are joined together by covalent
bonds. These smaller units are known as monomers. You may have often heard these terms
used when you learned about amino acids.
Polymers can exists as natural polymers or synthetic polymers.
The properties of a polymer depend on the type and number of monomers in the polymer.
Rubber, nylon, and polyethylene are three examples of compounds that can be
synthesized.
Students are asked to understand the application on p277
Examples of natural polymers are
Starches – sugars. Their formula is C6H12O6. they can exist as straight chains or rings. A
carbohydrate is simply a more complex polymer of sugar derivatives.
Cellulose- this is found in the cell walls of plants. Most mammals are unable to break this
down. However, cows have a mechanism within that will produce acids that can break
down cellulose. This is why you eat certain plants or types of leaves, you see them come
out when you go to the restroom.
Nucleic Acids – you may remember this from biology at which you learned the general
structure of these nucleic acids. They are simply polymers of nucleotides. A, C, G or T. Can
come in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) or RNA (ribonucleic acids)
Amino Acids- another term you may have heard in biology. They contain two functional
groups, a carboxyl group and an amine group. They form proteins that are polymers in
which at least 100 amino acid monomers are linked through bonds between an amino
group and a carboxyl group. Proteins are very important to your existence as they
responsible for a lot of things including gene expression.
Objective #8: Understand the purpose of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
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Photosynthesis – this is a process where plants captures light from the sun and convert it to
chemical energy. Examine the reaction of the hydrocarbon formed (glucose)
Cellular respiration is a process at which organisms breakdown glucose in the presence of
oxygen and release water and carbon dioxide. Does this sound familiar to interactions
taking place within your own body? Look on p283 This process in essence starts with a
complex hydrocarbon.
Closing Notes:
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for reactions in cells. They help speed up the reaction
rate by lowering activation energy needed or the temperature needed for the reaction to
proceed.
Vitamins are organic compounds that organism need in small amounts but cannot produce.
Example would be Vitamin C which is good for your immune system. It gets easily used up but
can’t be replaced.