Chapter 4. The Chemistry of Carbon

1. Chapter 4.The Chemistry of Carbon

2. Chemistry of Life • Organic chemistry is the study of carboncompounds • C atoms are versatile building blocks • 4 electrons in outer shell • 4 stable covalent bonds

3. Hydrocarbons • Simplest C molecules = hydrocarbons • combinations of C & H • Simplest HC molecule = methane • 1 carbon bound to 4 H atoms • non-polar • not soluble in H2O • hydrophobic • stable • very little attraction between molecules • a gas at room temperature

4. Hydrocarbons can grow methane ethane • adding C-C bonds • straight line • Branching • Ring hexane isohexane cyclohexane

5. Isomers • Molecules with same molecular formula but different structures • different chemical properties

6. Structural isomers • Molecules differ in structural arrangement of atoms

7. Geometric isomers • Molecules differ in arrangement around C=C double bond

8. Enantiomer (stereo) isomers • Molecules which are mirror images of each other • left-handed & right-handed versions • “L” versions are biologically active

9. Functional Groups

10. Functional groups • Different elements added to organic molecules that change their properties

11. Hydroxyl • –OH • alcohols • names typically end in -ol • ethanol

12. Carbonyl • C=O • O double bonded to C • if C=O at end molecule = aldelhyde • if C=O in middle of molecule = ketone

13. Carboxyl • –COOH • compounds with COOH = acids • fatty acids • amino acids

14. Amino • -NH2 • compounds with NH2 = amines • amnio acids • NH2 acts as base • ammonia picks up H+ from solution

15. Sulfhydryl • –SH • S bonded to H • compounds with SH = thiols • SH groups stabilize the structure of proteins

16. Phosphate • –PO4 • function of PO4 is to transfer energy between organic molecules (ATP)