General Organic Chemistry (High School Notes)
Page 1: Introduction to Organic Chemistry
What is Organic Chemistry?
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies carbon compounds. Most organic
compounds contain:
• Carbon (C)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Oxygen (O)
• Nitrogen (N)
• Sulfur (S)
• Halogens (Cl, Br, I, F)
Why is Carbon Special?
Carbon can:
• Form 4 covalent bonds
• Join with other carbon atoms
• Form long chains and rings
• Create millions of compounds
Types of Carbon Chains
1. Straight Chain
Example: Butane
C — C — C — C
2. Branched Chain
C
|
C — C — C
3. Cyclic (Ring) Chain
C — C
/
C C
1
, \ /
C — C
Catenation
The property of carbon to form chains with itself is called catenation.
Hydrocarbons
Compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons.
Two main types:
Type Bond Example
Saturated Single bond Methane
Unsaturated Double/Triple bond Ethene, Ethyne
Important Terms
• Molecular Formula → shows actual number of atoms
• Example: C₂H₆
• Structural Formula → shows arrangement of atoms
Example:
H H
| |
H—C—C—H
| |
H H
Page 2: Functional Groups and Homologous
Series
Functional Group
An atom or group of atoms that determines the chemical properties of an organic compound.
Functional Group Formula Compound Type Example
-OH Hydroxyl Alcohol Ethanol
-COOH Carboxyl Carboxylic acid Ethanoic acid
2
Page 1: Introduction to Organic Chemistry
What is Organic Chemistry?
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies carbon compounds. Most organic
compounds contain:
• Carbon (C)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Oxygen (O)
• Nitrogen (N)
• Sulfur (S)
• Halogens (Cl, Br, I, F)
Why is Carbon Special?
Carbon can:
• Form 4 covalent bonds
• Join with other carbon atoms
• Form long chains and rings
• Create millions of compounds
Types of Carbon Chains
1. Straight Chain
Example: Butane
C — C — C — C
2. Branched Chain
C
|
C — C — C
3. Cyclic (Ring) Chain
C — C
/
C C
1
, \ /
C — C
Catenation
The property of carbon to form chains with itself is called catenation.
Hydrocarbons
Compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons.
Two main types:
Type Bond Example
Saturated Single bond Methane
Unsaturated Double/Triple bond Ethene, Ethyne
Important Terms
• Molecular Formula → shows actual number of atoms
• Example: C₂H₆
• Structural Formula → shows arrangement of atoms
Example:
H H
| |
H—C—C—H
| |
H H
Page 2: Functional Groups and Homologous
Series
Functional Group
An atom or group of atoms that determines the chemical properties of an organic compound.
Functional Group Formula Compound Type Example
-OH Hydroxyl Alcohol Ethanol
-COOH Carboxyl Carboxylic acid Ethanoic acid
2
