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Organic chemistry is the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds that by definition contain carbon. It is a specific discipline within the subject of chemistry. Organic compounds are molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen, and may contain any number of other elements. Many organic compounds contain nitrogen, oxygen, halogens, and more rarely phosphorus or sulphur.

History of organic Chemistry Organic chemistry as a science is generally agreed to have started in 1828 with Friedrich Woehler's synthesis of the organic, biologically significant compound urea by accidentally evaporating an aqueous solution of ammonium cyanate NH4OCN now called the Wöhler synthesis.

The name organic chemistry comes from the idea that carbon chains were only produced by living things or organisms. This has been proven false, but organic chemistry remains predominantly a study of the molecules of living organisms

The name organic chemistry came from the word organism. Prior to 1828, all organic compounds had been obtained from organisms or their remains. The scientific philosophy back then was that the synthesis of organic compounds could only be produced within living matter while inorganic compounds were synthesized from non-living matter. A theory known as "Vitalism" stated that a "vital force" from living organisms was necessary to make an organic compound. 1828, a German chemist Friedrich Wöhler (1800-1882) amazed the sience community by using the inorganic compound ammonium cyanate, NH4OCN to synthesize urea, H2NCONH2, an organic substance found in the urine of many animals. This led to the disappearance of the "Vitalism" theory.

To master organic chemistry, you will need to study regularly and systematically. The following technique is useful for many people: 1. Read ahead. When you come to class you should have read the material that will be presented. 2. Work the problems in the chapters (as opposed to those at the end of the chapters) as you read the material. Write out the answers on paper. Even if the answers seem obvious, writing them down will help you remember. 3. When working problems, work several problems before consulting the answer book. If you look up each answer as you do the problem you cannot help catching a glimpse of the answer to the next problem. The result is that you are not really working the next problem. 4. The first few problems at the ends of the chapters are there to help you to become familiar with the new material and to help you remember it. Look up the answers as needed. Again, write out the answers. 5. Prepare a set of flash cards to help you remember the reactions. Design these cards to help you remember reactions in both the forward and backward sense. Organic chemistry is a very cumulative subject. At the end of the second course (356) you will need to know to know the material presented on the first day of the first course (355) just as much as you will on the first exam. These cards will be invaluable for reviewing. NOTE WELL: Using flash cards prepared by another student will give you some benefits but much of the benefit of the flash cards comes from you having to think about the reaction enough to prepare the card.

6. Solve the more challenging problems at the ends of the chapters. The answers to most of these problems will not be obvious to you when you first read the question. Do not give up too quickly. Do not consult the answer book without making a determined effort to solve the problem on your own. Many people can read an answer and understand it. Do not be fooled into thinking you can solve problems because you understand the answers when you see them. Write the solutions out on paper. 7. Regular study will pay off much better than last minute cramming. You will get much better results by studying a hour each and every day as opposed to several hours once or twice a week. 8. Before exams review your flash cards and problems. Get a good nights sleep. You will be expected to solve new problems on the exams. If you have studied regularly, being alert and relaxed will be more important than last minute cramming. If you haven't studied regularly, you will be in trouble either way. Importance of organic compounds petroleum and its derivatives: gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel oil, lubrication oils, wax, fuel oil, asphalt; carbohydrates, steroids (cholesterol - coats the interior of the arteries causing high blood pressure); coal, acetone, pharmaceuticals such as aspirin, valin. Student will be asked to come up with examples once a few are given. Take as many ideas as possible until the students feel comfortable of the class of compounds they will be studying in this unit.

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