Chapter 23.1, Problem 1LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To classify the organic compounds.

Concept introduction: Organic compounds are classified based on the skeletal structure of carbon. They are classified as Acyclic or open-chain compounds and cyclic or closed-chain compounds.

Answer to Problem 1LC

Organic compounds are classified as Acyclic or open-chain compounds which are further classified as Saturated and unsaturated compounds. Cyclic or ring chain compounds are further classified as homocyclic and heterocyclic compounds.

Explanation of Solution

Acyclic compounds: The compounds in which carbon skeleton will be in a chain form, branched form, and non-aromatic rings.

These are further classified as follows:

Straight chain compounds: The compounds in which carbons are linked together in a straight chain.

Branched-chain compounds: The compounds in which carbons are linked together in branch form.

Cyclic compounds: The compounds in which the skeletal structure of carbon will be in a ring form or closed form.

These are further classified as follows:

Homocyclic compounds: The compounds which contain rings that are made up of only carbons.

Heterocyclic compounds: The compounds which contain rings that are made up of carbons as well as other atoms like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, etc.

Homocyclic and heterocyclic compounds are further classified as Alicyclic compounds and aromatic compounds.

Alicyclic compounds are those compounds in which carbon atoms are linked together to form one or more rings.

Aromatic compounds are those compounds that contain delocalized pi-electron clouds and these are conjugated planar ring systems.

Conclusion

Almost all organic compounds contain carbon as the main constituent and the carbons are linked together to each other as well as to other atoms through covalent bonds. Therefore, the classification of organic compounds is mainly based on the skeletal structure of carbon.