Applied Organic

Chemistry

What is Organic Chemistry?

Study of carbon-based compounds

What are some examples of carbon-based compounds?

Fuel

Plastics

Drugs

Food

Explosives

Life

Fuel

Example: petroleum

Used as an energy source

Contains carbon and hydrogen

Reacts with oxygen to produce heat for energy and releases carbon dioxide

Plastics

Halocarbons

Contain a halogen, such as flourine covalently bonded to carbon Other halocarbons: CFCs, DDT Hazards: plastics do not biodegrade,

they photodegrade, CFCs damage the ozone layer, DDT is harmful to animal populations, is a water pollutant, and is a carcinogen

Drugs

Most medicines are organic compounds

All illegal drugs are organic compounds

Food

Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are all organic compounds

Examples: sugar, fruits, vegetables, etc

Cons: Americans throw away ¼ to ½ of food (26 millions tons/year), jams up landfills, and hugely contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (methane)

What you can do: freeze, can, donate food, start a compost pile

Life

Life on Earth depends on carbon

ALL life contains carbon

What types of careers use organic chemistry?

Vets

Doctors

Dentists

Pharmacists

Chemists

Bonding in Organic Compounds

Covalent bonds 2 or more atoms SHARE valence

electrons Gain a full octet

Valence electrons: electrons in outermost energy level

Octet: atoms want 8 electrons (full outer shell) to be stable

Structures formed by carbon compounds

Carbon is unique because it can form: Chains Branched chains Rings single, double, and triple bonds

Alkanes: single bonded

Alkenes: double bonded

Alkynes: triple bonded

Isomers

Carbon structures with identifcal chemical formulas (made of the same stuff)

Different structures (shaped differently)

Isomer Example