The name organic chemistry originated at the beginning of the 19th century, when scientists wishes to differentiate between those substances derived from plant and animal (organic) materials. It was believed that organic substances had special qualities and could be created only in the presence of the “vital force” found in living organisms. Even though the vital force theory was eventually disproved, the classification of chemical substances as organic or inorganic has continued to present.
The modern usage of “organic chemistry” refers to the chemistry of compounds containing carbon. These organic substances are generally characterized by chains of connected carbon atoms. Millions of such organic compounds are known.
Many of these are “natural products,” or compounds found in nature. The study of the large organic molecules found in living systems and their reactions, which make up the life processes, has come to be called biochemistry. A large number of the known organic chemicals have been synthesized in the laboratory, and our society is dependent on such synthetic materials as plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and insecticides. The chemical and allied product industries contribute a large portion of the gross national product of the United States. The vast majority of synthetic products are derived from petroleum, and as the world’s supply of petroleum decreases, new sources of carbon containing raw materials will to be found. Also, it has become apparent that many organic compounds, both synthesized and natural, have deleterious effects both on the environment and on living organism. Future developments in organic chemistry must take these effects into account.
Other substance:
The modern usage of “organic chemistry” refers to the chemistry of compounds containing carbon. These organic substances are generally characterized by chains of connected carbon atoms. Millions of such organic compounds are known.
Many of these are “natural products,” or compounds found in nature. The study of the large organic molecules found in living systems and their reactions, which make up the life processes, has come to be called biochemistry. A large number of the known organic chemicals have been synthesized in the laboratory, and our society is dependent on such synthetic materials as plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and insecticides. The chemical and allied product industries contribute a large portion of the gross national product of the United States. The vast majority of synthetic products are derived from petroleum, and as the world’s supply of petroleum decreases, new sources of carbon containing raw materials will to be found. Also, it has become apparent that many organic compounds, both synthesized and natural, have deleterious effects both on the environment and on living organism. Future developments in organic chemistry must take these effects into account.
Combustion Experiment Form Carbon Compound
Antoine Lavoisier developed his classic combustion experiments in the late 18th century. Lavoisier devised a method of burning the compounds in pure oxygen gas and found that the combustion products were carbon dioxide CO2 and water H2O, indicating that the compound contains carbon and hydrogen. Extensions of Lavoisier's work showed that all such compounds contained carbon and hydrogen and that many contained oxygen and nitrogen as well. This substance isolated from living organisms were first called organic compounds by the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1807. So far it had proved to be impossible to prepare any of these compounds in the laboratory, and the belief was proved wrong, however, in 1828, when the German chemist Fridrich Wohler converted ammonium cyanate, NH4OCN, a purely inorganic substance, into urea, CO(NH2)2, an end product of animal metabolism.Other substance:
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