Introduction To Organic Chemistry.

The term organic originated from Greek work 'organikos' meaning relating to an organ (something that comes from an organ) and the word organic by definition is simply relating to or derived from living thing. 

So, what is Organic Chemistry? 

To simply put, Organic Chemistry is the study of compounds obtained or derived from living things (both plants and animals). This was the most acceptable definition of Organic Chemistry in the early history of science; Chemistry. 

 

The modern definition of Organic Chemistry can be dated back to the early 19th century when a German Chemist Friedrich Ŵholer prepared an organic compound (urea; a component of urine) from an inorganic source(ammonium cyanate) by heating it. 

NH₄OCN + Heat ➙ NH₃ + HOCN ..... (i)

NH₃ + HOCN ⇌(NH₂)₂CO (urea) ..... (ii)

Equations of the reaction.

In the equation (i), ammonium cyanate was decomposed by heating into ammonia and cyanicacid. The products then reacts rversibly in the equation  (ii) and form urea (an organic compound).

Prior to the discovery of Ŵholer, scientist believed that organic compounds are results of a vital force and can not in any way be created or produced in the laboratory. Hence the earlier definition of Organic Chemistry as the study of compounds obtained from living things.  

Now that organic compounds can be prepared in the laboratory as shown by Ŵholer,  so how best do we define Organic Chemistry? 

The idea of Organic Chemistry definition was then shifted from origin(the study of compounds obtained from living things) to constituents, and was therefore defined as the study of carbon compounds with the exception of oxides, such as carbon(II) oxide (CO), carbon (IV) oxide (CO₂) and tri-oxo꤂carbonates (CO₃²-).

Organic Chemistry has so many important in our everyday life as clearly explained in one of our previous lessons here. Many drugs, textiles (synthetic ) and fertilizers are all products of Organic Chemistry. 

There are millions of Organic compounds worldwide and everyday new ones are being discovered by scientists. 

In summary, Organic Chemistry is the study of organic compounds. But this definition is not complete, because one may ask again, what's or are Organic compounds? 

Therefore, whenever defining anything, try to give a definition that will not require another definition.  Hence, Organic Chemistry is the study of carbon compounds with the exception of oxides..... 

Hope that you understand what Organic Chemistry is. If you have any question, post it under the comment section below or click on Assignment Tab on our Home page and submit your question.