Organic chemistry

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

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 remains the reason why organic chemistry is close in name to the word organism.

Related Topics:
1828 - Friedrich Woehler - Synthesis - Urea - Ammonium cyanate - Wöhler synthesis

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