1. Carbon and Molecular Diversity
Chapter 4
Carbon and Molecular Diversity

2. The Importance of Carbon
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds
Organic Chemistry – study of carbon compounds
Organic Molecules – molecules that contain carbon
Vitalism – belief on a life force outside the jurisdiction of chemical/physical laws
Early researchers believed all organic molecules came from living organisms
Mechanism – belief that all natural phenomena are governed by chemical/physical laws
Researchers were able to synthesize organic compounds from Earth’s early atmospheric conditions

3. Carbon atoms are the most versatile building blocks of molecules
With an atomic number of 6, there are 4 valence electrons to form 4 covalent bonds
Carbon atom is usually the central point of all organic molecules

4. The Importance of Carbon (Continued)
Carbon Skeleton Diversity
Covalent bonds link carbon atoms together in long chains that form skeleton frameworks for organic molecules
Vary in shape (branched, straight, ring), length, number and location of double bonds, and availability of other atoms to bond to sites on the skeleton

5. Hydrocarbons – molecules only containing H and C
Major components of fossil fuels
Isomers – compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural arrangements and properties
Structural Isomers – isomers that differ in covalent arrangement of their atoms
Geometric Isomers – isomers which share covalent relationships but differ in spatial arrangement
Enantiomers – isomers that are mirror images of each other

6. Functional Groups
Functional groups contribute to the molecular diversity of life
Functional groups are small characteristic groups of atoms who are frequently bonded to the carbon skeleton of organic molecules
Regions of molecules that are chemically reactive
Have specific physical/chemical properties

7. Hydroxyl Group – functional group that consists of a hydrogen atom bonded to an oxygen atom, which is then bonded to a carbon atom (-OH)
Polar group
Water soluble
Forms hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules

8. Carbonyl Group- functional group that consists of a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom (-CO)
polar group; can be involved in H-bonding;makes molecule attached to it water soluble
found in sugars
Aldehydes-if the carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon skeleton.

9. Ketone – the carbonyl group will be in the middle of the molecule

10. Amino Group – functional group that consists of a nitrogen bonded to two hydrogen’s and to the carbon skeleton (-NH2)
Found in amino acids

11. Carboxyl Group – carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen and single bonded to an oxygen
Found in amino acids

12. Sulfhydryl Group – a functional group that consists of sulfur bonded to a hydrogen (-SH)

13. Phosphate group – dissociated from a phosphoric acid
Loses hydrogen ions; acidic properties
Found in ATP (energy carrier molecule)