Organic compounds and their classification

The classification of organic compounds is based on the theory of the chemical structure of AM Butlerov. Systematic classification - the foundation of scientific nomenclature. Thanks to it, it became possible to give a name to every known organic substance, based on the existing structural formula.

Classes of organic compounds

Organic substances are classified according to two main features: localization and the number of functional groups in the molecule and structure of the carbon skeleton.

Carbon skeleton is a part of a molecule that is fairly stable in various chemical reactions. Organic compounds are divided into large groups, while taking into account the molecular structure of organic matter.

Acyclic compounds (bio- compounds of fatty series or aliphatic compounds). These organic compounds in the structure of the molecules contain a straight or branched chain carbon chain.

Carbocyclic compounds are substances with closed carbon chains - cycles. These bio-compounds are divided into groups: aromatic and alicyclic.

Heterocyclic natural organic compounds are substances in the structure of molecules of which there are cycles formed by carbon atoms and atoms of other chemical elements (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur) by heteroatoms.

The compounds of each series (group) are divided into classes of various organic compounds. The belonging of organic matter to a particular class is determined by the presence of certain functional groups in its molecule. For example, classes of hydrocarbons (the only class of organic substances in which there are no functional groups), amines, aldehydes, phenols, carboxylic acids, ketones, alcohols, etc.

To determine whether an organic compound belongs to a series and class, a carbon skeleton or a carbon chain (acyclic compounds), a ring (carbocyclic compounds) or a nucleus (heterocyclic compounds) are isolated . Further, the presence of other atomic (functional) groups in the molecule of the organic substance, for example, hydroxyl-OH, carboxyl-COOH, amino group, imino group, sulfhydryl group-SH, etc., is determined. The functional group or groups determine the belonging of the bio-compound to a certain class, its main physical and chemical properties. It should be said that each functional group not only determines these properties, but also affects other atoms and atomic groups, while also experiencing their influence.

When substituted in the molecules of acyclic and cyclic hydrocarbons or heterocyclic compounds of the Hydrogen atom, various functional groups receive organic compounds that belong to certain classes. We give some functional groups that determine the belonging of an organic compound to a certain class: hydrocarbons RH, halogenated hydrocarbons R-Hal, aldehydes R-COH, ketones R1-CO-R2, alcohols and phenols R-OH, carboxylic acids R-COOH , R 1 -O-R2 ethers, R-COHal carboxylic acid halides, R-COOR esters , nitro compounds R-NO2, sulfonic acids -R-SO3H, organometallic compounds R-Me, mercaptans R-SH.

Organic compounds that have one functional group in the structure of their molecules are called organic compounds with simple functions, two or more are compounds with mixed functions. Examples of organic compounds with simple functions can be hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids, nitro compounds, etc. Examples of compounds with mixed functions may be hydroxy acids, keto acids and the like.

A special place is occupied by complex bioorganic compounds: proteins, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, in the molecules of which a large number of different functional groups.