Organic Chemistry – Notes

Introduction and Vital Force Theory

 Carbon exhibits tetravalency.

Carbon has the ability to successively bond to other carbon atoms to form long chain. The property of carbon is called as catenation.

Carbon also forms covalent bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and halogens. These complex carbon compounds are known as organic compounds.

The branch of chemistry that studies the formation and properties of organic compounds is known as organic chemistry.

Organic compounds made of only hydrogen and carbon atoms are known as hydrocarbons.

Isomerism

The existence of two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different properties is known as isomerism. The compounds themselves are called as isomerism.