Introduction to Soil Chemistry

60 soil basics iii
Table 3.2 (Continued)
Family Structure and
Name Composition IUPAC a Name
Ethers Carbon, hydrogen, single
H H H
bonds with at least one
—C—O—C— in the molecule
H C C O C
(may include double and triple
H H H
bonds and other structures) Diethl ether
Aldehydes Carbon, hydrogen, single
H H
bonds with at least one
—CHO in the molecule
(may include double and triple
H C
H
C
H
C
bonds and other structures) Propanal
Ketones Carbon, hydrogen, single
H O H
bonds with at least one
O
C in in the molecule
H C
H
C C
H
H
(may include double and triple
bonds and other structures)
Propanone (acetone)
Acids Carbon, hydrogen, single
bonds with at least one
O
C
OH in the molecule
(may include double and triple
bonds and other structures)
H H
O
C C C
H H
OH
Propanoic acid
Amines Carbon, hydrogen, single
bonds with at least one
in the molecule
H
H
C
H
N
(may include double and triple
bonds and other structures);
R groups may be carbon or hydrogen
Methyl amine
H
C N
H
R
R
R
R R
a IUPAC is the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, which determines nomenclature
for organic compounds.
Any of these compounds can be found and even synthesized in soil. The
simplest example methane (CH 4), is commonly found in the soil atmosphere.
It is produced during the decomposition of organic matter under anaerobic
conditions, which can occur even in aerobic soils. It is interesting to note that
methane can not only be produced in aerobic soils but can also be oxidized
by soil bacteria in the same soil.
H
O
H
H
C
H
H