Organic Chemistry The Chemistry Of Life / The Chemistry of Carbon

A. Historical Perspective1. Vitalism: The belief that “life forces” outside of

physical laws govern the interaction of chemicals in living things

“Only living things can make organic compounds”

2. Mechanism: The belief that chemical interactions

can be explained by physical laws

“Any organic compound can be made in a test tube”

Urea

CD

Properties of Carbon“Carbon is the tinker toy of life”

Property of Carbon Biological Implication

1. Tetra valence 1. Carbon can form up to 4 covalent bonds for many “links”

2. Bond to itself 2. Carbon can form long chains or rings to form large molecules

3. Can form double and triple bonds

3. Different bond types will change the reactivity of the molecule

4. Weak yet strong bonds 4. Weak enough to metabolize and recycle but strong enough for stability

5. “Infinite” arrangements

Structural vs. Molecular formulas

C4H10

5. Can form isomers

a) structural

b) geometric

c) enantiomers

CD Activity

H040202.swf

H040203.swf

Functional Groups: Molecules that give Carbon Compounds Distinct Characteristics

Personality:

1. Very Polar

2. OH groups on non-polar compounds allow the

non-polar compounds to become soluble in

water

Personality:

1. Aldehyde : Polar, Found at the end of the molecule. Many are

metabolic intermediates

2. Ketone: Non-Polar, Found in the Middle of the molecules

Personality:

1. Polar

2. The “acid” part of an amino acid

3. Weak acid and can act as a buffer

Personality:

1. Forms the Amine end of an amino acid

2. Polar

3. Tends to act like a base

Personality:

1. Polar

2. Will form strong “di-sulfide bonds” (S-S) with other thiols

3. Will greatly influence shape of proteins

Personality:

1. Very Polar

2. Important as:

a) Energy transport (ATP), Destabilizes molecules

b) Emulsifiers / Cell Membranes

c) Structure of DNA

CD Activity 1 CD Activity 2

Butane Isobutane

Slide 1

The Tetra Valence of Carbon

Slide 1

Carbon Can Bond to Itself

Slide 1

Increasing Length Increasing Branching

Allows Ring Structures

Carbon can form Double and Triple Bonds

Slide 1

Single Bonds

Double Bonds

Slide 1

Slide 1

CD Activity

Slide 1