Organic Chemistry Practice Test: Organic Compound Basics — Flashcards

Organic Compound Basics topics include: Chemical bond, orbitals, physical properties, isomerism, acids and bases.

Organic compounds are chemical compounds that contain carbon. Some authorities define organic compounds as compounds that contain a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond. Others consider organic compounds to be any chemical compound that contains carbon.

Some characteristics of organic compounds include:
Composition: Organic compounds are mostly made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They also contain other elements, such as nitrogen.
Structure: Organic compounds have complex structures and high molecular weights.
Solubility: Organic compounds are mostly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
Physical properties: Organic compounds are combustible. They have low melting points and boiling points compared to inorganic compounds.
Isomerism: Organic compounds exhibit isomerism, which is when a single molecular formula represents several organic compounds with different physical and chemical properties.