Big Idea 10 Organic Chemistry

Unit Goals:

To compare and contrast organic and inorganic chemistry
To identify organic classes
To name and draw simple alkanes, alkenes, and cyclo-alkanes
To survey common organic molecules

Inorganic vs Organic Chemistry

Currently, organic compounds are defined as covalently bonded compounds containing carbon, excluding carbonates and oxides. By this definition, compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) are considered to be inorganic. Organic chemistry is the study of all organic compounds. This branch of chemistry has identified about 19 million known carbon compounds, inorganic chemistry comprises only about 500,000 known compounds.

Inorganic Compounds (metals and nonmetals)

500,000 known compounds

Organic Compounds

19 million know compounds

Why are there so many organic carbon compounds?

Carbon has four valence electrons and therefore makes four separate covalent bonds in compounds.
Carbon has the ability to bond to itself repeatedly, making long chains of carbon atoms as well as ringed structures.
Carbon bonds can be single, double, or triple covalent bonds.
Carbon readily makes covalent bonds with other elements, primarily hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, halogens, and several other nonmetals.

Carbon bonds in 4 places

Carbon can form four separate covalent bonds.

Carbon can form chains of bonds

Carbon bonds readily to itself to form "chains".

Carbon bonds can be single, double, or triple

Carbon can readily bond using one, two, or three pairs of electrons.

Carbon can bond to other elements.

Carbon can bond to other elements and functional groups.

Organic Names and Drawings

One of the biggest challenges of organic chemistry is the naming and drawing of chemical models. This naming and drawing process - referred to as "organic nomenclature" - is the first thing taught in most entry-level organic chemistry courses.

Fun Fact - The longest name in chemistry is for the organic compound "titan". The full, unabbreviated name for this protein molecule is 189, 819 letters in length!

Organic Names, Formulas, and Drawings - The "BIG 5"

Name
General Molecular Formula (usually useless in O-Chem)
Expanded Molecular Formula
Condensed Full Structural Formula Drawing
Abbreviated Skeletal/Bond Line Drawing

Organic Classification.pdf

Classifying Organic Groups

In order to begin to understand the 19 million organic compounds, we begin by using a simple classification system. That system is shown to the left.

Required Organic Names and Drawings

In Chemistry 11, names and drawings are required for the following basic organic groups. We will go over these in class!

Branched and Unbranched Alkanes
Branched and Unbranched Alkenes
Substituted and Unsubstituted Cycloalkanes

Organic Naming and Drawing Practice

Organic Naming and Drawing - Basic Rules

Identify and number the parent chain in order to have the lowest bond (alkene) or branch (alkane) numbers
Add the locations and names of bonds and branches to the parent chain
Abbreviate if possible

Organic Molecule Identification

For Chemistry 11, we focus on the following areas of organic chemistry nomenclature:

Building simple organic names based on drawings
Building simple organic drawings based on names
Match more complicated structures and names
Identifying mistakes in organic structures and names

Identifying Organic Molecules

Molecule ID Answers.pdf

Rules for Organic Molecule Identification:

Use the Pencil Rule to find the "parent chain" (NOTE: double/triple bonds and cyclos must be part of the parent chain for these molecules)
Identify bonds to determine the ending of the molecule name - single bonds = "ane", double bonds = "ene", triple bonds = "yne"
Identify parent chains that are ring-shaped - these parent chains will include "cyclo" in the name
All double/triple bonds and branches/substitutions must be numbered and located with the LOWEST possible numbering

Skeptical Questions In Science

The skeptical question topic for this unit involves the topic of "volatile organic compounds (VOC's)" . Skeptical questions are thoughtful "Why-based" questions which address biases in scientific material. This type of question is not seeking scientific facts.

The articles associated with this unit are listed below:

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/volatile-organic-compounds

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/voc.htm

Organic Chemistry Applications

Throughout the organic chemistry unit, it's important to look for applications of these common, yet complex, molecules. Three of the most common applications are automobile fuels, painkillers, and plastics.

Organic Chemistry Applications

Organic Chemistry and Fuels - Octane Numbers

Fuels and Fuel Octane Levels

Painkillers

A common class of organic chemicals is painkillers, both prescription and OTC. As part of our survey of common organics, we discuss similarities and differences among the various analgesic compounds.