- Unique Nature of Carbon
Catenation: The property of elements to form long chains or rings by self-linking of their own atoms- through covalent bonds is called catenation. The extent of catenation depends upon the strength of the bonds between the atoms involved in catenation.
- Saturated and Unsaturated Carbon Compounds
In saturated compounds, the valencies of all the carbon atoms are satisfied by single bonds between them.
While in the unsaturated compounds, the valencies of all the carbon atoms are not satisfied by single bonds, thus in order to satisfy their valencies, they form a double or triple bond between the carbon atoms.
- Straight chain compounds: The compounds which contain a straight chain of carbon atoms e.g. normal butane (C4H10), normal pentane (5H12) etc.
- Branched chain compounds: Those compounds which are branched. e.g. iso-butane (C4H10), isopentane (C5H12), neopentane (C5H12) etc.
- Closed chain compounds or Ring compounds:
Cyclic compounds are called closed chain or ring compounds e.g. cyclohexane (C6H12), cyclopentane (C5H10), cyclobutane (C4H8), cyclopropane (C3H6) etc. - Hydrocarbons All those compounds which contain just carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons.
- Functional GroupThe atom or group of atoms which determine the properties of a compound is known
as the functional group. e.g. —OH (alcohol), —CHO (aldehyde), > C = C < (alkene), — C—C — (alkyne) etc. - Homologous SeriesA series of compounds in which the same functional group substitutes hydrogen in a carbon chain is called a homologous series. e.g. CH3C1 and C2H5C1 differ by a —CH2 unit.
- Nomenclature CChemists developed a set of rules, for naming organic compounds based on their
structures which is known as IUPAC rules. The IUPAC name of an organic compounds consists of three parts.
Prefix – word root – Suffix
