What Are Organic Compounds?
Organic compounds are a substance that contains covalently- bonded carbon and hydrogen and often with other elements. Organic compounds examples are benzoic Acid, aromatic compounds, benzoic aldehyde, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, malonic acid, amines, heterocyclic compounds, VOC, benzoic acid, and diethyl malonate.
Aromatic Compounds
Benzoic Acid
It is an aromatic carboxylic compound. Its molecular formula is C6H5COOH. It contains a carboxylic group attached to a benzene ring.
Benzoic Acid Structure
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Properties of Benzoic Acid
Physical Properties of Benzoic Acid
Its molar mass is 122.12 g/mol
Its melting point is 122.3℃.
Its boiling point is 249.2℃.
Its density is 1.27 g/ cm3.
It is a colourless crystalline solid.
It is soluble in non-polar solvents.
Chemical Properties of Benzoic Acid
Its heat capacity is 146.7 J/mol.K.
It is irritant in nature.
Its flash point is 121.5 degrees celsius.
It is acid in nature.
Benzoic Aldehyde
It is an aromatic carbaldehyde compound. Its molecular formula is C6H5CHO. It contains a carbaldehyde group attached to a benzene ring. Its IUPAC name is Benzaldehyde.
Benzoic Aldehyde Structure
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Properties of Benzoic Aldehyde
Physical Properties of Benzoic Aldehyde
It is a colourless liquid.
It has an almond-like odour.
Its melting point is -26 degrees celsius.
Its boiling point is 179 degrees celsius.
It is slightly soluble in polar solvents like water.
Chemical Properties of Benzoic Aldehyde
It is irritant in nature.
Its flash point is 145 ℉.
Its heat of combustion is 3525 KJ/mol.
Its heat of vaporization is 42.5 KJ/mol.
It is acidic in nature.
Aliphatic Compounds
Propanoic Acid
Propanoic acid is a three-carbon saturated molecule. It contains one carboxylic group attached to the carbon. It acts as an antifungal drug. It is the conjugate acid of propionate.
Structure of Propanoic Acid
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Properties of Propanoic Acid
Physical Properties of Propanoic Acid
It is a colourless liquid.
It has a sharp rancid odour.
Its melting point is -20.7 degrees celsius.
Its boiling point is 141.1 degrees celsius.
It is soluble in polar solvents like water.
Chemical Properties of Propanoic Acid
It produces irritating vapours.
Its flash point is 130 ℉.
It is corrosive in nature.
Its heat of combustion is 1528.3 KJ/mol.
Its heat of vapourisation is 418.7 KJ/mol.
It is acidic in nature.
Butanoic Acid
Butanoic acid is a Four-carbon saturated molecule. It contains one carboxylic group attached to the carbon. Its molecular formula is C4H8O2. It is the conjugate acid of butanoate. Its common name is butyric acid.
Structure of Butanoic Acid
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Properties of Butanoic Acid
Physical properties of Butanoic Acid:
It is a colourless liquid.
It has an unpleasant odour.
Its melting point is -5.7 degrees celsius.
Its boiling point is 326.3 ℉.
It is soluble in polar solvents like water.
Chemical Properties of Butanoic Acid
It produces irritating vapours.
Its flash point is 170℉.
It is corrosive in nature.
Its heat of combustion is 521.87 Kg cal/gm.
Its heat of vapourisation is 40.45 KJ/mol.
It is acidic in nature.
Malonic Acid
Malonic acid is a three-carbon saturated molecule. It contains two carboxylic groups attached to the carbon. Its molecular formula is C3H4O4. It is the conjugate acid of malonate. Its IUPAC name is Propanedioic acid.
Structure of Malonic Acid
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Properties of Malonic Acid
Physical Properties of Malonic Acid
It occurs in a white crystal or crystalline powder form.
It is hygroscopic in nature.
It has an odour similar to acetic acid.
Its melting point is 276.1℉.
Its boiling point is 284 ℉.
It is soluble in polar solvents like water.
Chemical Properties of Malonic Acid
It produces irritating vapours.
Its flash point is 170 ℉.
It is corrosive in nature.
Its heat of combustion is 864 KJ/mol.
Its heat of vapourisation is 92 KJ/mol.
It is acidic in nature.
Diethyl Malonate
Diethylmalonate is a saturated carbon chain molecule. It occurs naturally in many fruits. It is used as a flavouring agent. Hydrolysis of diethyl malonate produces ethanol and malonic acid.
Structure of Diethyl Malonate
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Properties of Diethyl Malonate
Physical Properties of Diethyl Malonate
It is a colourless liquid.
It is hygroscopic in nature.
It has a sweet ester like odour.
Its melting point is -50 degrees celsius.
Its boiling point is 200 degrees Celsius.
It is soluble in polar solvents like ethanol, acetone, and water.
Chemical Properties of Diethyl Malonate
It produces irritating vapours.
Its flash point is 200 ℉.
It is corrosive in nature.
Its vapour pressure is 0.27 mm Hg.
Its heat of vapourisation is 64.7 KJ/mol.
It is acidic in nature.
Other Organic Compounds Examples are:
Heterocyclic Compounds
These are the cyclic compounds that contain two or more than two different types of elements in the ring. These compounds are also called heterocycles. These compounds are widely distributed in nature. Heterocyclic compounds play a vital role in the biochemistry of the cells. Some of the heterocyclic compounds are toxic in nature. The main type of heterocycles that occur in genes are purines and pyrimidines.
Some examples of heterocyclic compounds are oxirane, oxetane, thiole, azole, azolidine, pyran, pyridine, and dioxane.
Structure of Heterocyclic Compounds
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VOC
VOC stands for the volatile organic compound. This is the class of organic compounds that contains the most harmful organic air pollutant. These are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. This compound produces both long and short term adverse health effects.
Sources of VOC are
Pesticides
Paints
Wood preservatives
Sprays (air fresheners, perfumes, and other sprays)
Disinfectants
Automobiles
Printers
Harmful Effects of VOC
Eyes and nose irritation
Headache
Nausea
Allergic reactions
Dizziness
Cancer
Damage to the central nervous system
Did You Know?
Most of the organic compounds are made up of chains of a carbon atom.
The organic compounds found in the living body are carbohydrate, protein, and nucleic acids.
The process of forming organic compounds is called organic synthesis.
FAQs on Organic Compound
1. What are organic compounds?
Organic compounds are a vast class of chemical compounds primarily composed of carbon atoms covalently bonded to each other and to atoms of other elements, most commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen. Their unique properties arise from carbon's ability to form long chains, rings, and complex structures. Examples include substances essential to life like carbohydrates and proteins, as well as common materials like plastics and fuels.
2. Why is carbon the fundamental element in all organic compounds?
Carbon is fundamental to organic chemistry due to two unique properties:
- Tetravalency: Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four strong covalent bonds with other atoms.
- Catenation: This is the unique ability of carbon atoms to bond with other carbon atoms to form long chains and stable rings. This property allows for the formation of a vast number of complex molecules, which is not seen with any other element to this extent.
3. What are the main types of organic compounds?
Organic compounds are broadly classified based on their carbon skeleton structure into several types, including:
- Aliphatic Compounds: These are open-chain or cyclic compounds that do not contain a benzene ring. Examples include propanoic acid and butanoic acid.
- Aromatic Compounds: These compounds contain one or more stable benzene rings in their structure. Benzoic acid is a classic example.
- Heterocyclic Compounds: These are cyclic compounds where at least one atom in the ring structure is an element other than carbon, such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Pyridine is a common example.
4. How do aliphatic and aromatic compounds differ in their properties?
The primary difference lies in their structure and stability. Aromatic compounds, containing a delocalised pi-electron system within a benzene ring, are exceptionally stable and undergo substitution reactions rather than addition reactions. They often have a distinct aroma. Aliphatic compounds lack this ring system, are generally less stable, and are more likely to undergo addition reactions if they contain double or triple bonds. Their properties are directly dictated by their functional groups and chain length.
5. What is the significance of a 'functional group' in an organic compound?
A functional group is a specific group of atoms or bonds within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that molecule. It determines the compound's physical and chemical properties. For example, the -COOH (carboxyl) group in benzoic acid and propanoic acid makes them acidic, while the -CHO (aldehyde) group in benzaldehyde gives it different properties.
6. Can you provide some examples of organic compounds and their formulas?
Certainly. Here are a few examples of organic compounds mentioned in the NCERT syllabus:
- Benzoic Acid: An aromatic carboxylic acid with the formula C₆H₅COOH.
- Propanoic Acid: An aliphatic carboxylic acid with the formula CH₃CH₂COOH.
- Benzaldehyde: An aromatic aldehyde with the formula C₆H₅CHO.
- Malonic Acid: A dicarboxylic acid with the formula CH₂(COOH)₂.
- Diethyl Malonate: An ester with the formula CH₂(COOCH₂CH₃)₂.
7. What is the key difference between organic and inorganic compounds?
The main difference is the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds. Organic compounds must contain carbon, and most contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. They are associated with living organisms and have covalent bonds. Inorganic compounds, on the other hand, typically do not contain C-H bonds (e.g., carbon dioxide, CO₂) and often feature ionic bonds. They are generally sourced from non-living matter like minerals.
8. What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and why are they a concern?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature, meaning they evaporate easily into the air. They are a concern because many are harmful air pollutants that can cause short-term and long-term adverse health effects. Common sources include paints, pesticides, air fresheners, and fuel combustion.
9. How are organic compounds like carbohydrates and proteins important for life?
Organic compounds form the very basis of life. Carbohydrates (like glucose) are the primary source of energy for cells. Proteins (made of amino acids) are crucial for building tissues, acting as enzymes to catalyse biochemical reactions, and transporting molecules. Lipids (fats) store energy and form cell membranes, while nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) carry the genetic code. Without these organic molecules, life as we know it would not be possible.
