Classification of Organic Compounds
Organic compounds are classified into two types based on the structure of the carbon chain, i.e. Open chain compounds and cyclic or closed-chained compounds. To put it another way, the classification is done on the basis of the arrangement of carbon atoms in their structure.
Open Chain Compounds
These are compounds with a linear structure, rather than a cyclic one. An open-chain compound having no side chain is called a straight chain compound and an open-chain compound in which a side chain is present is called a branched chain compound. All the branched chain and open chain compounds that contain no rings in them are aliphatic.
Closed Chain Compounds
These are compounds in which one or more series of atoms in the compound are connected to form a ring. They are further subdivided into two types i.e. Homocyclic compounds and Heterocyclic compounds. Homocyclic compounds are compounds in which atoms are of the same chemical elements. Heterocyclic compounds are compounds containing atoms of at least two different elements. Homocyclic compounds are further categorized into two groups i.e. Alicyclic compounds and Aromatic compounds. The alicyclic compound contains one or more carbon rings which may be either saturated or unsaturated, but do not persist in any aromatic character. An aromatic compound is any of a large class of unsaturated chemical compounds characterized by one or more planar rings of atoms joined by covalent bonds of two different kinds.
Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques
Organic Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the study of the structure, properties, composition, and reaction of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. It is the science of organic compounds and it started about 200-225 years ago. It is the branch of chemistry that deals with the scientific study of organic compounds (compounds that contain covalently bonded carbon atoms). In this, the structure and chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, and chemical reactions of these hydrocarbons are studied. Carbon forms bonds with itself and with other elements or compounds to form long chains of hydrocarbons. E.g. Methane (CH4) and Ethane (CH3-CH3).