Organic
Definition and meaning of Organic in chemistry.
"Organic" refers to chemical compounds containing carbon, typically with carbon-hydrogen bonds, and to the subdiscipline of chemistry that studies these compounds.
In more detail
Historically, organic compounds were thought to originate exclusively from living organisms, which gave the field its name. Modern organic chemistry encompasses virtually all carbon-containing compounds except simple inorganic compounds like carbonates and oxides. Carbon's remarkable ability to form four stable covalent bonds and chain with itself and other elements enables millions of distinct organic compounds. Understanding organic chemistry is essential to biology, medicine, biochemistry, and industrial chemical synthesis.
Key facts
| Field | Organic Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Central element | Carbon (C) |
| Key characteristic | Typically contain carbon-hydrogen bonds |
| Number of known compounds | Tens of millions |
Glucose (C6H12O6), ethanol (C2H5OH), and benzene (C6H6) are representative organic compounds found in nature or synthesized in laboratories.
Frequently asked questions
Are all carbon compounds organic?
No. Simple carbon compounds like carbon dioxide (CO2), carbonates (CO32-), and carbon monoxide (CO) are classified as inorganic.
Why is the field called 'organic' chemistry?
The name originates from the historical belief that compounds containing carbon came exclusively from living organisms.