CARBON COMPOUNDSThe Chemistry of Life

OBJECTIVES

• Define organic compound and name three elements often found in organic compounds.

• Explain why Carbon forms so many different compounds.

• Define functional group and explain its significance.

• Compare a condensation reaction with hydrolysis.

CARBON BONDING

• Carbon has 4 electrons in its outer energy level.

• A Carbon atom readily forms 4 covalent bonds with other elements.

• Commonly hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

CARBON BONDING• Carbon also readily

forms bonds with other Carbon atoms, forming straight chains, branched chains, or rings.

• When atoms share one pair of electrons it is a single bond.

• When they share two pairs it is a double bond.

• Three pairs is a triple.

FUNCTIONAL GROUPS• Clusters of atoms that

influence the properties of the molecules they compose

• The structural building block that determines the characteristics of the compound.

• Hydroxyl group (-OH)

• An alcohol is an organic molecule with a hydroxyl group.

• Makes alcohol polar!

LARGE CARBON MOLECULES

• Many carbon molecules are built up from smaller, simpler molecules called monomers.

• These monomers bond together to form complex molecules called polymers.

• Polymers consist of repeated, linked units.

• Large polymers are called macromolecules.

MAKING AND BREAKING POLYMERS

• Monomers link to form polymers through a chemical reaction called a condensation reaction.

• Two monomers become linked by a C-O-C bridge

• One molecule releases a OH-, and the other an H+. These combine to form a water molecule

MAKING AND BREAKING POLYMERS• The breakdown of

some polymers occurs through a process called hydrolysis.

• The addition of water under certain circumstances can break the bonds that hold polymers together.

• The reversal of a condensation reaction.