For Dummies: Organic Chemistry

If it’s a simple chain with only single bonds, it ends in If there’s a double bond, it’s an "-ene." 5. Why Does It Matter? Everything you touch is organic chemistry.

In the world of organic chemistry, Carbon is the star. Why? Because it’s the ultimate team player. Carbon has four "hands" (valence electrons), meaning it always wants to make .

Your DNA, your muscles, and the scent of a flower are all just organic molecules interacting based on their shapes. Summary of Basics Carbon is the backbone and always makes 4 bonds. Organic Chemistry for DUMMIES

Carbon MUST have four lines (bonds) connected to it. If it has three, it’s unhappy; if it has five, it’s impossible.

These are "polymers"—massive, repeating chains of carbon. If it’s a simple chain with only single

Aspirin and Ibuprofen are just specific shapes of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

These often smell fishy or like decay; they are the building blocks of proteins. 4. Nomenclature: How to Name Things In the world of organic chemistry, Carbon is the star

Organic Chemistry for Dummies: The "Legos of Life" Guide Organic chemistry has a scary reputation, but at its heart, it is just the study of and how it builds the world around us. Think of it as the ultimate Lego set where every molecule is a different structure built from the same few types of bricks. 1. The Main Character: Carbon