Organic compounds are carbon-based compounds that contain carbon bonds in which at least one carbon atom is covalently linked to an atom of another type (usually hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen) . The structures of organic compounds are commonly represented by simplified structural formulas, which show not only the kinds and numbers of atoms present in the molecule but also the way in which the atoms are linked by the covalent bonds .
There are three ways by which a compound can be represented structurally:
1. Complete Structural Formula: This formula shows all the atoms in the molecule and the bonds between them .
2. Condensed Structural Formula: This formula shows the atoms in the molecule and the bonds between them, but it does not show the individual bonds between each pair of atoms .
3. Bond line Structural Formula: This formula shows the atoms in the molecule, but it does not show the bonds between them. Instead, the bonds are represented by lines .
Organic compounds can be classified into different types based on their structure. For example, alkanes are organic compounds that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms, while alkenes contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms . Similarly, alkynes contain at least one triple bond between carbon atoms . Aromatic compounds are organic compounds that contain a ring of atoms with alternating double bonds .
Organic compounds can also be classified based on their functional groups, which are specific groups of atoms that give the molecule its characteristic chemical properties . For example, alcohols are organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group, while carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl (-COOH) group .
In summary, organic compounds are carbon-based compounds that contain carbon bonds in which at least one carbon atom is covalently linked to an atom of another type. The structures of organic compounds are commonly represented by simplified structural formulas, which show not only the kinds and numbers of atoms present in the molecule but also the way in which the atoms are linked by the covalent bonds. Organic compounds can be classified into different types based on their structure and functional groups
Organic Compound Structure Diagram image
