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306 CHEMISTRY FOR THE UTTERLY CONFUSED
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Our goal in this chapter is to help you learn about organic chemistry, the chemistry
of carbon. You will learn about the different types of organic compounds. We will
also discuss biochemistry, including some biologically important compounds,
such as proteins, carbohydrates, and so on. We will also familiarize you with some
organic reactions. And finally, to do well, you must Practice, Practice, Practice.
21-1 Organic Compounds
Organic chemistry is the study of the chemistry of carbon. We classify almost all
of the compounds containing carbon as organic compounds. We consider only
a few, such as carbonates, cyanides, etc, as inorganic. Scientists once believed
that only living organisms could produce organic compounds. However, in 1828,
the German chemist Friedrich Wöhler showed this to be incorrect when he produced
the first organic compound from inorganic starting materials. From that
time, chemists have synthesized many organic compounds found in nature and
have made many never found naturally. Carbon is capable of strongly bonding
to itself and other elements. There appears to be no limit to how many carbon
atoms can bond together. These factors allow carbon to form long, complex
chains and rings.
21-2 Hydrocarbons and Nomenclature
Quick Tip
Carbon forms four bonds.
Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic compounds are members of a family of
organic compounds called hydrocarbons, compounds of carbon and hydrogen.
These hydrocarbons are the simplest of organic compounds, but are extremely
important to our society as fuels and raw materials for chemical industries. We