12. Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles
Organic chemistry focuses on carbon compounds, particularly those containing carbon and hydrogen. The unique properties of carbon enable the formation of various organic compounds, which can be classified into hydrocarbons, functional groups, and homologous series. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the importance of organic chemistry in everyday applications, including fuels, medicines, and plastics.
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What we have learnt
- Organic chemistry is primarily concerned with carbon-containing compounds.
- Carbon's tetravalency and ability to catenate lead to a vast array of organic compounds.
- Functional groups impart specific chemical properties to organic substances.
Key Concepts
- -- Tetravalency
- The ability of carbon to form four covalent bonds, enabling the creation of complex molecules.
- -- Functional Groups
- Specific groups of atoms that determine the characteristic properties of organic compounds.
- -- Homologous Series
- A series of compounds sharing the same functional group and similar chemical properties, differing by a -CH₂- unit.
- -- IUPAC Nomenclature
- A systematic method for naming organic chemical compounds based on their structure.
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