Organic chemistry
is a chemistry
sub-discipline involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions
of organic compounds and organic materials,
i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms.
Study of structure includes using
spectroscopy (e.g., NMR),
mass spectrometry, and other physical and
chemical methods to determine the chemical composition and constitution of organic compounds and
materials. Study of properties includes both physical properties and chemical properties, and uses similar methods
as well as methods to evaluate chemical reactivity, with the aim to understand
the behavior of the organic matter in its pure form (when possible), but also
in solutions, mixtures, and fabricated forms.
The study of organic
reactions includes probing their scope through use in preparation of
target compounds (e.g., natural products, drugs, polymers,
etc.) by chemical synthesis, as well as the focused
study of the reactivities of individual organic molecules,
both in the laboratory and via theoretical (in silico)
study.
The range of chemicals studied in
organic chemistry include hydrocarbons, compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen,
as well as myriad compositions based always on carbon, but also containing
other elements, especially:
General Principles
