Organic chemistry is the branch of
chemistry concerned with the production and study of
molecules containing
carbon, known as
organic compounds. Although there is an overlap with
biochemistry, the latter is the specific study of the molecules made by living organisms.
The subject is composed of: aliphatic compounds which deals with chains of carbon which can be modified by functional groups; aromatic compounds which are compounds having a [benzene ring]? or similar group; heterocyclic compounds, compounds with a ring structure; [physiologically active compounds]? which have an effect on the human body; and polymers - long chains of repeating groups.
- Aliphatic compounds
- Hydrocarbons -- Alkanes -- Alkenes -- Halogenoalkanes? - Alcohols -- Ethers -- Aldehydes? -- Ketones - Carboxylic acids -- Esters -- Carbohydrates -- [Alicyclic compounds]? -- Amines -- Amides