CARBON CHEMISTRY

Properties of Carbon

Carbon can combine in many ways with itself and other elements Four valence electrons

Carbon has a central role in the chemistry of living things

Carbon can be arranged in many ways

Properties of Carbon

Structural Formulas Straight Chain Branched Chain Ring

Forms of Pure Carbon

Diamonds Graphite

Pencil lead Fullerene Nanotube

Carbon Compounds

Carbon is a backbone for many substances

Mixtures of Carbon found in foods, paper, cleaning items, etc.

Has a specific name:

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS- organic means – “of living things” - but can be scientifically created from non-living sources.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon- a compound that contains only elements of hydrogen and carbon

Hydrocarbons mix poorly with water

ALL Hydrocarbons are flammable

Structure of Hydrocarbons

Simplest Hydrocarbon is METHANE (CH4) Any type can be a straight chain,

branched-chain, or ring. An Isomer – is a compound that has the

same chemical formula but different structural formulas. Have different properties

Hydrocarbons can also have double and triple bonds

Structure of Hydrocarbons

Classification of Hydrocarbons are based on the type of bonds they form

Single Bonds have a maximum number of hydrogen atoms attached to their carbon chains SATURATED HYDROCARBONS (filled up)

Double or Triple bonds have fewer hydrogen atoms for each carbon atom UNSATURATED HYDROCARBONS

Structure of Hydrocarbons

Examples

Methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6), Propane (C3H8) - ane (saturated)

Ethene (C2H4), Acetylene (C2H2) - ene or –yne (unsaturated)

Structure of Hydrocarbons

Substitutions -OH substitution for Hydrogen

Hydroxyl group (alcohol) Dissolve well in water High boiling points

Ex: Methanol,Ethanol

-COOH substitution for Hydrogen Carboxyl group (organic acid)

Found in many foods (citric acids) Combining an alcohol and an organic acid

will produce an Ester Many have pleasant, fruity smells

Carbon Molecule Chains

Polymer – large molecule made of a chain of many smaller molecules (monomers) bonded together. Ex: Plastic – sythetic polymers

Organic CompoundsRequired by Living Things1. Carbohydrates

Simple: Sugars Ex: Glucose “blood sugar”- C6H12O6, Sucrose –

C12H22O11

Complex: Starch (Grains), Cellulose (Plants & Veg.)

2. Proteins Made of smaller chains of Amino Acids (20) Used to build and repair within the body and

regulate cell functions

Organic CompoundsRequired by Living Things

3. Lipids Similar to carbs – provide energy to body Includes Fats (solid at room temperature) and

Oils (liquid at room temperature) Also includes cholesterol which builds cell

structures

4. Nucleic Acids – Two types: DNA and RNA

Organic CompundsQuick Reference

Sugars - are the building blocks of – Starch/Cellulose

Amino Acids - are the building blocks of – Proteins

Fatty Acids – are the building blocks of - Lipids

Nucleotides – are the building blocks of – Nucleic Acids