2. Organic Chemistry and the Importance of Carbon
The Chemistry of Life
Organic Chemistry and the Importance of Carbon

3. Organic Chemistry Study of carbon-based compounds
Range from simple molecules (monomers) to large biomolecules (polymers)

4. Carbon
Very unique in its ability to form large, complex, diverse molecules
Has 4 valence electrons
Can form up to 4 covalent bonds (tetracovalence)
Bonds can be single, double, or triple covalent
Molecules can be chains, ring-shaped, or branched
Can create many isomers (molecules with same formula, but different atom arrangement)

5. Carbon Bonding
C2H6
C2H4
C2H2

6. Molecule Shape
branched
linear
ring

7. Carbon Bonding & Molecular Shape
Creates a tetrahedron when C has a single bond with other molecule
Creates a flat molecule when C is double bonded

8. Creating Variety
Hydrocarbons – molecules consisting of C and H covalently bonded
Found in fat molecules
Produce large quantities of energy

9. Creating Variety Both are molecules of C6H12
Have different properties because of bonding

10. Building Biological Molecules
Functional Groups – chemical groups that attach to the C skeleton that change molecular function
Hydroxyl
Carbonyl
Carboxyl
Amino
Sulfhydryl
Phosphate
Methyl

11. Hydroxyls (-OH) Examples: Alcohols (ethanol, methanol)
Polar and hydrophilic
Function: helps dissolve organic compounds (sugar)

12. Carboxyls (-COOH) Examples: carboxylic acid, acetic acid (vinegar)
Organic acids
Found in fatty acids and sugars
Hydrophilic and polar

13. Carbonyls (>CO)
Examples: ketones, aldehydes, acetone (nail polish remover)
Found in sugars
Hydrophilic and polar

14. Amino (-NH2) Example: amino acids Acts like a base
Group to form proteins
Hydrophilic and polar

15. Sulfhydryl (-SH)
Examples: proteins in hair
Found in some amino acids

16. Phosphate (-PO3) Examples: ATP, DNA, phospholipids
Has the potential to react with water to create energy
Hydrophilic and polar

17. Methyl (-CH3) Example: butane
Binding to DNA changes the expression of genes
Arrangement affects the shape and function of hormones
Hydrophobic