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Organic Compounds03:02

Organic Compounds

All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...
IUPAC Nomenclature of Aldehydes01:16

IUPAC Nomenclature of Aldehydes

Aldehydes are named based on the systematic nomenclature rules set by the IUPAC. For acyclic aldehydes, the longest carbon chain containing the aldehydic (–CHO) group is considered the parent chain. The aldehyde is named by replacing the last letter “e” in the hydrocarbon name with “al”. For instance, a simple, seven-carbon-membered acyclic aldehyde is called heptanal, derived from heptane. The carbon chain is numbered starting from the aldehydic carbon, although the aldehydic carbon’s locant...
IUPAC Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acids01:16

IUPAC Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acids

IUPAC names of carboxylic acids are systematically derived following a few rules discussed below.
For acyclic saturated monocarboxylic acids, the longest hydrocarbon chain containing the –COOH carbon is identified as the parent chain. Then, the last -e of the parent hydrocarbon name is replaced with a suffix -oic acid.
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction00:59

Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction

The benzylic position describes the position of a carbon atom attached directly to a benzene ring. Benzene by itself does not undergo oxidation. In contrast, the benzylic carbon is quite reactive in the presence of strong oxidizing agents such as KMnO4 or H2CrO4. Therefore, alkylbenzenes are readily oxidized to benzoic acid, irrespective of the type of alkyl groups.
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives01:35

Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives

Just like β-keto acids—which upon thermal decarboxylation form ketones—β-dicarboxylic acids undergo decarboxylation to generate monocarboxylic acids with the liberation of carbon dioxide.
Structures of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives01:28

Structures of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Structure of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...