Chapter 9: Organic chemistry

Organic chemistry is the study of molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen. Other elements that may be involved in organic structures are N, O, S, P, Cl, F and Br.

There are three types of formulas: empirical, molecular and structural. An empirical formula gives the ratio of elements in a molecule
A molecular formula tells exactly how many of each element is in a molecule
A structural formula give the bonding information

The following formulas are for glucose, a simple sugar:

Empirical formula: CH₂O
Molecular formula: C₆H₁₂O₆
Structural formula:

Molecules with the same molecular formula and different structural formulas are structural isomers. Here are the structural isomers of C₅H₁₂, pentane. Can you draw all of the isomers of hexane C₆H₁₄?

Functional groups are very important. Be sure you can identify all of the functional groups listed in your text. Here is a list with some examples, a practice problem, and a list of some functional groups.