Organic Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity

Organic Chemistry: Structure and ReactivityA key element of organic chemistry is the formation of the functional groups, which create the chemical bonds that are needed to form substances. The most basic of these groups are the monomers, which are substances that consist of one molecule of carbon and one molecule of hydrogen. The next groups are the compounds, which consist of two monomers joined together. The compounds can be further divided into the enantiomers, which consist of the same atom on both sides of the molecule, and the stereoisomers, which consist of a single enantiomer and the opposite stereoisomer.Organics are substances that have the ability to react in the presence of an electron. While this seems like a very simple concept, there are numerous factors to consider when it comes to the details of organic chemistry. The basics are that molecules that contain an electron do not all have the same reactivity.For example, an amine which has the ability to react to a certai n base is different from a benzene which has the ability to react to the same base. These differences come from the fact that the amine has an extra carbon atom that can change to a carbon or hydrogen, while benzene has one or two fewer carbon atoms, making it much more stable. Molecules that contain an extra carbon atom are more reactive than those with fewer.There are many details to organic chemistry, which results in the clarification of the reactions. The difference between chemical reactions and physical reactions is subtle, but the differences are significant. Physical reactions tend to occur over a long period of time, while chemical reactions happen very quickly. Organic reactions happen rapidly, as well, and the reactions that take place can lead to the production of a material that will change over time.One of the first considerations to note is the point at which the changes occur. Changes occur when two monomers combine, and when two enantiomers combine. When a molecule combines with another, the two atoms on either side of the molecule combine and create a molecule. This two-carbon structure is known as a monomer, and a three-carbon structure is known as an enantiomer.The next step involves the exchange of one or more of the monomers, or two or more enantiomers, by exchanging their electrons. An exchange can be done through a bond, or by a different type of chemical reaction. At this point, there can be an initial atom which can't transfer its electron because of the extra carbon, so another molecule can combine with the old one.The next step involves the formation of the compound, which involves combining a compound with an existing compound. The chemical reaction that leads to the formation of the compound requires an electron from one of the molecule's atoms. When there is no free electron for one of the molecules, the reaction doesn't occur.There are other steps involved in each chemical reaction, including the forming of molecules, dissolvin g of solids, or even reactions that leave the material unchanged. The conversion of something into something else is considered a reaction, and every step is necessary to get from one state to another. The chain of reactions can be seen as a series of steps, which is why organic chemistry is sometimes referred to as the ladder of life.